Skegness man caught with what he thought was cocaine in Sutton

Steven Keith Berrisford, 46, of The Chase, Ingoldmells, admitted attempting to possess amphetamine and possessing cannabis when he appeared before magistrates in Mansfield on Wednesday.

The court heard Berrisford was stopped because of his driving on Fairfield Road on June 6.

His car was searched and cannabis and another substance were found, but tests revealed the drug was not amphetamine.

Andrew Bevan, mitigating, said Berrisford had been heavily convicted before March 2012, but the death of his friend in a motorbike accident caused him to have a mental breakdown.

“He sorted himself out,” said Mr Bevan. “Very recently he ended an 11-year relationship and he is not taking that well.

“He became depressed and took the wrong option. He bought a very small amount for personal use.

“It is clear that the man has turned his life around.”

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge.