A MAN faced a nightmare five months after he was arrested over the murder of one of his best friends, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Glen Verdon, 45, could have faced the terrifying prospect of possibly life imprisoment after Jesse Kirkbride was found dead on his settee last May.

Verdon, of Exchange Street, Colne, admitted possessing amphetamine worth less than £1 and was fined £50, with £60 costs.

Nigel Harrison, prosecuting, said Verdon was arrested on suspicion of murder but there was no evidence to suggest he was in any way responsible.

Police found scales, weights, a knife and pieces of plastic containing traces of amphetamine at his property. Verdon had six previous convictions for drugs offences.

Rachel Adamson, defending, said she had never been as surprised in her life when she had been told Verdon had been arrested on suspicion of murder. The solicitor said she knew the defendant would not harm anybody intentionally.

Verdon had met close friend Mr Kirkbride in the street the day before he died and said it was obvious he had been bingeing on drugs and needed help, the court was told.

Verdon took him home to allow him to "come down". Mr Kirkbride fell asleep on the sofa and some time later it was discovered he was dead.

Verdon did not know what to do, panicked and left the house for about half an hour. He then went back and decided he must contact the police.

Before he could do that, officers turned up for a completely unrelated matter and Verdon said he was glad they had come.

He and two others were arrested. Miss Adamson said the police investigation had hung over his head until October.

The defendant used to be a heroin addict and took it upon himself to get off it by using a lesser drug. He was now drug free, the court was told.

Miss Adamson added:" The defendant was originally charged with supplying drugs, although not to Jesse Kirkbride. He is very very close to the Kirkbride family and feels very very upset about what happened."

Jesse Kirkbride's father Michael Kirkbride said after the hearing: "Glen Verdon has had a poor life like many people. I think Jesse had been feeling unwell before he even went to Glen's house."