A HEROIN addict swallowed £110 of the drug in an attempt to evade police who were searching a premises.

Gregory Chappell quickly swallowed 10 or 11 wraps of the drug when police started to search where he was staying, Worcester Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Abi Nixon, prosecuting, told the court about two grams of the drug were swallowed, during the incident on Tuesday, January 17.

"He swallowed the heroin as he knew the police were going to find it," she said.

"He was seen swallowing it and was taken to the police station where the drug was recovered."

The 24-year-old, of Windsor Drive, Kidderminster, faced a range of charges at court.

He admitted theft, theft from a vehicle, burglary, breach of two drug treatment and testing orders, deception, handling stolen goods, possession of heroin, obstruction of a police officer and a bail act offence.

Fergus Maxwell, defending, said Chappell had since reformed and was off the drug after spending a spell in prison.

"He always had the motivation to deal with the problem but had difficulties, as where he was living he was surrounded by heroin and it was very difficult to lead a drug-free lifestyle," he said.

"He started using hard drugs at the age of 13 or 14 after the death of his father.

"He does not like what he did, or the offences he committed."

Magistrates sentenced Chappell to a total of 10 months in prison.