A judge has put off passing sentence on a man who had hundreds of pounds worth of hard drugs in his boxer shorts after hearing he was only going to supply his partner.

Ashley Strong, 39, who has previous convictions for dealing, was found with the heroin and crack cocaine when police stopped him in October last year.

But after hearing that Strong was only going to supply his live-in boyfriend a judge told him he may not jail him.

Tessa Hingston, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that on Tuesday, October 1, last year police stopped Strong in Spa Road, Melksham.

They wanted to take him to the police station to search him but he suggested going to his home, which was nearer.

Once there, he undressed in the kitchen and a package fell out of his pants which was found to contain seven wraps of crack and 22 of heroin, worth up to £360.

His phone was examined and found to contain numerous texts about money but he insisted that related to other matters.

Strong, formerly of Church Walk, Melksham, but now living in Southsea, Hampshire, admitted two counts of possessing drugs with intent to supply.

The court heard he was jailed for three-and-a-half years for supplying hard drugs in 2004 and had numerous other convictions for possessing drugs and other offences.

Tony Bignall, defending, said the drugs were intended for the use of him and his partner.

Judge Peter Blair QC deferred passing sentence until Friday, June 5, and imposed conditions on him.

He said: "I am going to require him to keep out of trouble for that period of six months and the court will want to know what efforts he has made to ultimately seek the assistance of the Recovery Hub in Southsea.

"Providing he makes progress with them in rehabilitation from illicit substances and keeps out of trouble then in six months then I am likely to give him a community order.

"If he doesn't take the opportunity that had been given to him today he can expect a custodial sentence."