A FORMER soldier turned drug dealer has admitted drugs and weapons charges, including possessing an imitation firearm and a baton.

Max Fitter admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine (class A) and cannabis (class B) while his co-defendant, Emily Cooper, also admitted drugs and weapons offences.

Fitter, aged 25, of Ploughmans Way, Droitwich, and Cooper, aged 23, of Spreadbury Close, Birmingham, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday.

The two charges will add to those Fitter has already admitted – possession of an imitation firearm and possession of an extendable baton.

Two other charges of possession of an offensive weapon – a knuckle duster and a lock knife will be allowed to lie on file.

Cooper had already admitted three offences – possession of an imitation firearm, conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and driving while disqualified.

Timothy Sapwell, prosecuting, said the conspiracy to supply cocaine charge for Fitter covered the period between October 2, 2015 and April 22 last year and the conspiracy to supply cannabis covered the period between February 5 and April 27 last year.

Evidence includes a text message which refers to a ‘box’ which the prosecution argue is reference to the weight of drugs.

Mr Sapwell said that Fitter had played a ‘significant role’ in supply and this was not disputed by the defence.

Clare Fear, defending, said: “It’s inevitable that the only sentence is one of custody.

"There is a background to this gentleman. He only has one previous conviction in 2009 for affray where he received an absolute discharge.

“He’s a man who has been working in the British Army and the foreign legion and he’s suffering, on the face of it, from post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Ms Fear asked for a six-week adjournment for a psychiatric report to be prepared but recorder Paul Bleasdale said he did not see the need for such a report.

Ms Fear confirmed when asked that Fitter was under the care of a GP but had not received any medication and that she had heard it from the defendant himself, rather than any medical professional, that he may be suffering from PTSD.

Mr Bleasdale said: “I’m not going to take that as gospel.”

Fitter is on a curfew at his home address from Monday to Friday as part of his bail conditions. Cooper is not to contact Fitter directly or indirectly.

The two are scheduled to be sentenced together at Worcester Crown Court on Monday, March 6.