A FORMER drug user checked himself out of hospital to attend a court hearing.

Thomas Sweet, whose illnesses resulted from his long-running heroin addiction, pleaded guilty to possession of the Class A substance when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, told the court how the 30-year-old,of Swan Drive, Droitwich, was arrested back in July.

He said: “Police executed a warrant on the house that Mr Sweet shares with his parents.

"While moving the defendant into the bathroom for a strip search he moved his hands up to his mouth in order to swallow something.”

Sweet had consumed Valium. The heroin was found in his trouser pocket.

Rob Macrory, defending, said his client wanted to “completely eradicate” drugs from his life and has voluntarily attended appointments with a drug intervention organisation for the past year.

“He has been assessed and allocated funding for residential rehabilitation,” said Mr Macrory.

“They will only offer that to people who’ve shown positive enthusiasm.”

Magistrates made Sweet subject to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 costs.