A 45-year-old drug user has been sentenced to community service for heroin and cannabis possession.

Mark Roberts admitted two counts of possession in relation to each drug and was ordered by magistrates to do 210 hours unpaid work.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that, on July 27, 2019 Roberts was seen driving a Ford Mondeo towards Ballasalla on Victoria Road.

He was stopped by police on Brookfield Avenue due to concerns about the manner of his driving.

A search of the vehicle found some cannabis in the footwell of the car.

Roberts, was arrested and taken to police headquarters and his home in North Shore Road, Ramsey, was searched.

Police found 21 grams of heroin, valued at between £2,625, along with more cannabis.

The total cannabis found was valued of £1,700.

When interviewed Roberts said he was a heavy drug user and all the drugs were for personal use.

He said he smoked one or two grams of cannabis a day and used a little less heroin.

On September 13 this year. Roberts was spoken to by police again after being seen driving a Ford Transit van towards Pulrose.

He was said to have been restrained and a Kinder egg containing cannabis dropped from his person.

Another search of his home found more cannabis, valued at £62 and heroin valued at £175.

When interviewed this time Roberts said that his father had died and his mental health had deteriorated since.

Defence advocate David Reynolds said that there had been a long period between the offences and it was not known why it had taken so long.

Mr Reynolds said that his client had a long history of drug use and had also lost his mother in 2017.

He was said receiving assistance from the Drug and Alcohol Team and undergoing drug tests.

’He has been going through a difficult time and wants to continue receiving support in respect of bereavement counselling,’ said Mr Reynolds.

Magistrates also ordered Roberts to pay £125 costs which he will pay at a rate of £10 per week, deducted from benefits.