Driver check led to cocaine find

3:39pm Monday 4th February 2008

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POLICE who stopped a 59 year old motorist for a routine check discovered a small quantity of crack cocaine in the car.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Bernard Almond immediately admitted the drug was for his own use.

Almond, of Rothesay Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possession of crack cocaine. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £60 costs.

Liz Parker, defending, said it was unusual for a man of her client's age to be appearing in court for possession of crack.

"It is a drug usually associated with much younger people," said Mrs Parker.

She said Almond had been struggling to come to terms with the death of his mother and his doctor had refused to prescribe anything to help.

"A friend suggested that this drug may help him and he finds that it does," said Mrs Parker.

"He knows he can't carry on using and is going to the community drugs team next week to seek some help."