COTSWOLD police stopped a 41-year-old with a cocktail of drugs in Bourton-on-the-Water on his way back from the summer solstice at Stonehenge.
Jason Keen of Cheltenham Road, Rendcomb, was caught on June 28, 2022, in the Kings Meadow after eagle-eyed police officers spotted Keen pulling into a car park and decided to search him.
Found in the vehicle were the remnants of his illicit purchases including Class A drugs heroin and methadone Class B Ketamine.
At Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, (August 8), prosecutor Oliver Glynn-Jones said it was at around 8.30pm that police officers spotted Keen.
“His vehicle was searched and three bags containing what the police to be prohibited drugs, were found inside,” said the prosecutor.
“These were sent off for analysis and were found to be 511 milligrams of heroin, 23 millilitres of methadone and 2.86 grams of ketamine.
“Keen, who had originally given the police a false name, was re-arrested for the drugs offences and interviewed when his real identity was discovered. He admitted possessing the drugs."
Lee Mott, defending, said Keen only used drugs on "special occasions" and one of these was while he was attending the summer solstice on June 21.
“He had bought the drugs and consumed them while he was there, but had forgotten that he had the remnants of the drugs in his vehicle when he returned home," Mr Mott said.
“He states that he doesn’t have a drug habit any longer and doesn’t wish to return to that lifestyle.
"He has altered his life quite considerably since being attacked with an axe and suffering facial and head injuries. The incident has left him suffering from some memory loss.
“He now has a volunteer role in the community, helping out a local gamekeeper. He is staying out of trouble. He had a stroke as a young man, which left him unable to use the left side of his body to any extent.
“This was Keen’s last special occasion in using drugs, this was a genuine one-off and he has not touched them in more than a year.
"He apologises to the court for his offending and has shown remorse for his actions.”
Sentencing Keen for possessing the drugs Presiding Justice Michelle Eccles said: “We recognise that you’ve pleaded guilty at the first opportunity for three different types of drugs.
"And for this offending you will be fined £80.”
The magistrates ordered Keen also pay victim surcharge of £32 and court costs of £45. The justices also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.
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