A MAN appeared in court on his 45th birthday for sentencing after admitting a drugs allegation.

Kevin Stow was arrested by police after supplying an undercover officer on a test purchase operation with two small wraps of heroin.

The city crown court heard how the officer had met another man, who took him to an underpass off The Avenue, Southampton, where they were met by Stow, who handed over the drugs.

Stow, of Bellevue Terrace, Southampton, admitted supplying a Class A drug and received a 12-month suspended sentence coupled with a six- month drug rehabilitation requirement.

Recorder Nigel Lickley QC warned Stow the treatment would be difficult and demanding.

Stow, a former soldier, reassured the judge: “I shall do it.”

The judge was told Stow had served in the South African army and had later worked for the crusie company P&O but he had been jobless for five years because of his drug addiction.