A man who was caught with almost £300 worth of drugs at his home has been told he was extremely lucky not to have been sent to prison.

Joao Santos, 32, was found with a phone in his hand when police executed a drugs warrant at his home in Dereham.

King's Lynn Crown Court heard Santos was asked if there were any drugs in the house and he "admitted straight away there were".

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said Santos told officers the drugs in the bedroom were down to him and not his partner.

Police searched the address and found a blue and green bag with a jar in it containing 6.85g of cannabis, with a street value of £70, as well as cocaine worth £200 and a set of scales.

Mr Youell said Santos fully admitted the drugs were his with the cannabis for his own use and the cocaine to bolster his income.

The prosecutor accepted the cocaine found was of "a relatively small quantity" with no evidence he was "supplying to a wider network".

Mr Youell said Santos, who has no previous convictions in this country, pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.

Santos, of Suffolk Place, Dereham, appeared in court on Thursday after he admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of cannabis following the offences on June 7, 2023.

The defendant, who was not represented in court as he "couldn't afford" to pay, was tearful throughout the hearing and  said he was sorry adding "I won't do it again, I promise".

Recorder Paul Garlick, who gave Santos credit for his pleas as well as lack of previous convictions, imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered him to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work.

In addressing a tearful Santos, he said: "Do you understand how lucky you are to not go to prison today?"

Santos replied: "Very lucky, very lucky... thank you very much".