Man ate bag of mephedrone

Prosecutors said officers tried in vain to recover the substance from Daniel Heaton after they located him in a bedroom with four others.

Lines of white powder had been marked out on a plate and a quantity of herbal cannabis was also found during searches last Thursday, it was alleged.

A Crown lawyer said other suspected drugs equipment, including more than 100 resealable bags, digital scales and a home-made smoking bong, were seized from the house at Ferndale Avenue.

Heaton faces charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, possession of cannabis and obstructing police.

Sheena Mahaffey, prosecuting, claimed mobile phone text messages examined by officers formed part of the case against him.

Mrs Mahaffey told the court police discovered clear evidence of drugs use when they went into the upstairs bedroom.