POLICE raiding a Southampton flat while the occupier was away on holiday, discovered about £4,000 worth of cocaine.

Thomas Weir, pictured, initially denied knowing how the drugs got there but later changed his story, saying they were for his own use.

City crown court jurors however disbelieved him and convicted of possessing the class A drug with intent to supply.

Jailing Weir, 47, of Blackthorn Road, for six years, Judge Derwin Hope said: “You lost your best mitigation when you failed to face up to your responsibilities.”

Michael Butt, defending, said Weir now admitted he planned to supply close friends or associates who were long term users with some of the cocaine.

“He is a long term, substantial user. When police raided his flat, there was no evidence of an extravagent lifestyle from the proceeds of drug dealing. In fact, they found it somewhat of a tip.”

The court heard Weir had committed 24 previous offences, including two for possessing cannabis.