A defendant who was carrying drugs told police he put them in his backside because they kept falling out of his pockets.

Kevin Hughes was stopped in his car by police near his home on Heather Crescent, Pulrose.

James Robinson, for the prosecution told the court they saw the 51-year-old apparently trying to swallow something as they opened the car door.

’They were concerned and they arrested him for obstructing them,’ he said.

Hughes was taken to Noble’s Hospital where he refused either to be examined or undergo an x-ray. He was kept under observation and later the same evening he passed a plastic package.

Analysis of the contents of the package revealed three different substances. It contained 3.5 grammes of light brown powder which proved in part to be heroin, valued at £350.

There were also 911 milligrams of Saroxin, a class C drug, plus some fragments of blue tablets.

Hughes told police the package did not contain heroin but he believed the substance to be a pharmacological substitute that a friend had bought for him on the internet. He further said the substances were for his own use and he had bought them to overcome grief over the death of his dog.

Referring to his somewhat unorthodox transportation, he told police it kept falling out of his pockets so he put it between his buttocks. However, his carriage problems persisted so he pushed the package further up for safe keeping, he claimed.

He was released from custody three days later having spent New Year’s Eve locked up.

Mr Robinson noted Hughes was in breach of a sentence expiry date which remained active until April 10 and he requested an order for forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

Defending Hughes, Paul Glover told the court his client had failed to turn up for an earlier hearing because he had an upset stomach.

Hughes admitted three offences of possessing an illegal drug on December 30.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes adjourned matters for an all options pre-sentence report. Hughes was bailed with a £500 recognisance to his home address. He must contact probation and co-operate with making a report and he must not leave the island without permission. He reappears on May 9.