DRUG-USER Endad Rahman told police he bought a £1,000 laptop computer for just £30 from a man who called at his door.

The 21-year-old restaurant worker of Hunsdon Close, Walcot, told officers he thought there was something wrong with the machine which had been stolen when he paid such a small amount for it.

Town magistrates heard that officers found the computer while they were executing a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act on August 16.

As well as finding the Toshiba computer in a wardrobe at his home they also found a £10 wrap of heroin in his bedroom.

Richard Thomas, prosecuting, said the laptop had been stolen from the Plaza 21 building development site office in the town centre over the weekend of August 5-7.

Tony Nowogrodzki, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and had it not been for the stolen laptop being found the police may have dealt with the drugs offence with a caution.

Magistrates adjourned the case to December 1 for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

He said that when he was questioned by police Rahman told them he had a £40 a day heroin habit and the drugs they found were for his own use.

The curry-house waiter said he didn't know the name of the man he bought the computer from but thought there must be something wrong with it because it was so cheap.