STEPHEN Beardwell is battling heroin to get his life back on track. And Hereford Crown Court gave him the chance to carry on doing so - with credit from a judge over how he had handled himself so far.

Beardwell, the court heard, was a success story for county drugs action team DASH since being 'busted' over a year ago.

Police raided his former home in Rainbow Street, Leominster, after surveillance showed several known heroin users inside.

Beardwell admitted giving other addicts the run of the house in exchange for his share of the drug, pleading guilty to being 'concerned in its supply'. Then, His Honour Judge McEvoy QC deferred sentence to see how Beardwell responded to rehabilitation with DASH.

Some six months on His Honour was pleased with the progress, crediting Beardwell's fight to stay 'clean' through difficult circumstances including the break up of a relationship and homelessness.

The court heard how Beardwell now lived in Hereford and was still working against his addiction.

A community rehabilitation order imposed by Judge McEvoy QC means he will continue to do so for another two years.