FORMER drug user Paul Hodgson has spent thousands of pounds battling with his recently acquired heroin addiction, a court was told. He booked into a five-day detox course in Harrogate that cost �4,700 – and now has an implant that will make him ill if he

FORMER drug user Paul Hodgson has spent thousands of pounds battling with his recently acquired heroin addiction, a court was told.

He booked into a five-day detox course in Harrogate that cost �4,700 - and now has an implant that will make him ill if he takes drugs.

"He was introduced to heroin in the autumn of last year, when he was at a vulnerable ebb," solicitor Michael Judkins told city magistrates.

In January police raided Hodgson's Ely home and found heroin and cannabis on the premises.

"The police raid fuelled his determination to kick his heroin habit for good," said Mr Judkins. "He went to the doctor shortly afterwards, he went on a five-day detox course and got an implant.

"When he returned to Ely he began weekly meetings with the drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction, and has got a job.

"Here is a man whose response to an offence well before coming to court has been hugely positive. He has sorted out his life and his drug problem."

Hodgson, 36, of Abbots Way, Ely, admitted possessing the class A drug heroin and the class B drug cannabis on January 15.

Police searching his home had found four wraps of heroin and a bag of herbal cannabis, said prosecutor Laura Mardell. "He said the drugs belonged to him, and were for his own personal use."

Hodgson has stopped taking drugs, added Mr Judkins. "He has distanced himself from the associates who introduced him to heroin," he added. "It was a relatively short and temporary association with heroin."

Magistrates ordered Hodgson to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and pay �85 costs; the court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.