One of the subjects of the TV show about the Manx prison has been back in court admitting trafficking class A drugs and money laundering.

Ross James McWhinnie, of Clifton Terrace, featured heavily in the controversial ITV reality show The Best Little Prison in Britain.

The 20-year-old was in court on Tuesday facing charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing criminal property, namely £450 in cash, attempting to convert criminal property, namely £2,000 in cash, and possessing cannabis.

McWhinnie pleaded guilty to those offences last week but the case was adjourned for a week after he denied an offence of being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.

But on Tuesday, prosecuting advocate Barry Swain said that the crown had taken a pragmatic view in relation to the ecstasy charge and was now not proceeding with it.McWhinnie was stopped by police on June 23 while he was in a van with another man in Anagh Coar.

A smell of cannabis was said to be emanating from the van so police searched the vehicle.

McWhinnie was found in possession of £450 in cash and seven grams of cannabis, worth £140 was found under the passenger seat.

At police headquarters 2.4 grams of cocaine was found on him, worth £240.

His phone was analysed and messages relating to drug-trafficking and money laundering were found.

At his home cannabis worth £20 was found in a shoebox under a bed.

When interviewed McWhinnie handed in a prepared statement saying that the cannabis and cocaine was for his personal use.

He answered no comment to all other questions and would not comment on the phone evidence but then said that the police were corrupt and had planted the messages on his phone.

McWhinnie was also said to have been involved in an attempt to convert £2,000 from Manx notes into English notes at the Palace bingo along with his mother, Lisa Kim Barnett, aged 41, of Snaefell Road, Willaston.

Last week, we reported how she pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and converting criminal property, namely £2,000 in cash.

Barnett was arrested at Robinson’s warehouse on October 17 as part of an ongoing investigation after analysis of phone data identified her involvement.

McWhinnie and Barnett have both been committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing on a date to be set.

Barnett was released on bail last week while McWhinnie made no bail application and is remanded in custody.