GAZETTE & HERALD: A teenager who had more than £1,000 worth of drugs hidden in his bedroom has escaped a prison term.

Alexander Minaides, who had a serious ecstasy habit, was reported by his mum when she suspected he was storing narcotics in the family home.

Officers charged Minaides with possessing drugs with intent to supply but the charges were later reduced by the Crown Prosecution Service to possession.

After hearing that Minaides was taking between ten and 15 tablets a day along with a mixture of other drugs a judge at Swindon crown court imposed a drug treatment and testing order.

At an earlier hearing Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said the defendant lived at home with his mother and it became apparent by his change of mood that he was using drugs.

He said police arrived at the address at 6.15pm on Friday, July 2 with a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He said: "The mum was not able to contact her son for a while and when she spoke to him she told him he was no longer welcome there.

"He was anxious to know if police had searched his PlayStation. They hadn't so she went and searched it and found more drugs."

Mr Meeke said that officers found 109 ecstasy tablets, 0.427 grams of amphetamines, 249 grams of cannabis resin, 19 diazepam tablets and some herbal cannabis.

He said the total street value of the drugs was between £1,400 and £1,500.

When he was questioned Minaides refused to answer questions but read a prepared statement saying other people had access to his room and none of the drugs were his.

Minaides, of Danes Close, Chippenham, admitted six counts of possessing drugs. Passing a six month drug treatment and testing order coupled with an 18 month probation order Judge Tom Longbotham told Minaides he was only sentencing him on the charges he had admitted.

He also ordered that Minaides pay £111, which was found on him when he was arrested, towards case costs.