A MAN from Herefordshire who obstructed a police officer during a drug search has been let off with a conditional discharge.

Daniel Davenport, a 46-year-old man, appeared in Basildon Magistrates’ Court on April 4 charged with obstructing an authorised person in exercise of a power to detain or search a person, vehicle or vessel regarding drugs. He pleaded guilty to the offence and admitted “intentionally obstructing” a police officer.

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He was handed an 18-month conditional discharge. This means he will not be sentenced for this offence, unless he were to re-offend within 18 months.

The conviction comes after police were searching for drugs in Basildon, Essex, on March 1, and Davenport got in the way of the operation.

Davenport, of Court Orchard, Fownhope, was ordered to pay compensation of £50 to police, as well as prosecution costs of £105 to the Crown Prosecution Service, and a £26 victim surcharge which goes towards helping victims of crime.