Drug man's last chance

A GOLD dealer with a long history of drug abuse tried to swallow 20 grammes of amphetamines while he was being wrestled to the ground by police, a court heard.

Andrew Floyd, who buys and sells small pieces of gold from jewellery shops, attempted to dispose of the class B drugs after he was stopped by plain clothes police officers in Great Yarmouth.

Yesterday Floyd was told by magistrates that despite 13 previous convictions for drugs offences he would be given one last chance to fight his drug problem or go to prison if he failed.

Floyd, 35, of Admiralty Road, Yarmouth, pleased guilty at the town's magistrates court to possessing 20.427g of amphetamine, worth £300, on September 30 last year.

Gary Mayle, prosecuting, said that police arrested Floyd after he was seen speaking to two men in St Peter's Plain.

Mr Mayle said: “He became somewhat obstructive, thrashing and kicking out. He was taken to the ground. He was attempting to get his left hand to his mouth.”

The court heard that concealed in his hand was a wrap of amphetamine and that Floyd then tried to swallow another packet of the drug.

Mr Mayle said that Floyd had 13 previous convictions for drug offences and that the amphetamine found on him weighed “quite a considerable amount”.

Kevin Batch, in mitigation, said that Floyd, who also claims income support, had a historical drug problem and that previous prison sentences had done him no good.

Mr Batch said his client had told him that “I would have to start all over again” if he was sent to jail.

Floyd also admitted possessing a prohibited weapon at the time he was arrested - a CS gas canister which he had found.

He was given an 18-month community order and was made subject of a nine-month drug rehabilitation programme which will check to see if he is free of drugs - if not he faces jail.

Floyd was also ordered to pay £60 in costs.

Angela Scott, chairman of the bench, said: “We do appreciate the fact this will not be easy for you. You have had a long-term dependency.”