POLICE who searched the home of a 24-year-old man seized his £725 birthday present - two large wraps of cocaine.

Christopher Jones, of Westfaling Street, Whitecross, Hereford, bought the drugs to celebrate the special occasion, said his barrister Bruce Gray.

Jones normally only used cannabis and was a long-time user of that drug.

Altogether, police discovered cocaine with a street value of £1,100 and cannabis worth £450, Worcester Crown Court heard.

They also found electronic scales, £800 cash in a tin and £295 in Jones’ trousers, said Peter Grice, prosecuting.

Jones pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Recorder Roger Evans said such crimes normally meant an immediate jail sentence.

But Jones had no previous convictions and his drug problem needed addressing.

The recorder adjourned the case for Jones to be assessed by the probation service for possible drug rehabilitation under a community order. He was granted bail.

His flat was searched on July 20 last year after police stopped a drug customer as he left the premises carrying cannabis, said Mr Grice.

Jones confessed he had supplied up to seven people every other day for about five months.

Mr Grice said: “The cocaine was a treat for his birthday and was for personal use. He had paid £725 for it.”

Jones had been brought up by his grandmother but she died when he was aged 14.

He began sniffing glue to cope with his distress, said Mr Gray, and then progressed to drugs.

The recorder told Jones to supply his bank details by May 1, for a possible confiscation of drug profits.