A JUDGE gave a Southampton man the opportunity to tackle his drugs problem with a rehabilitation order.

Paul May, 47, was arrested after police officers stopped a car in Weston shortly after midnight and saw him acting in "an agitated and nervous manner".

Prosecutor Colin Meeke told the city crown court they found two small wraps of amphetamine in the driver's door and small amount of heroin. They later recovered two further wraps at his home.

May was bailed but the same officers later stopped May again near Southampton Airport and found him with a burnt foil wrap of amphetamine. A search of his home yielded further amphetamine.

Recorder Alistair Malcolm QC accepted May wanted to "get shot of" drugs and followed the probation report's recommendation with an 18-month community order, 18 months supervision and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement. He was also told to pay a £60 victim surcharge.