A 35-YEAR-OLD drug addict has been spared jail after being caught in possession of heroin and crack cocaine.Scott McCloskey, of Orwell Road, pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs at South East Magistrates' Court on Friday .

A 35-YEAR-OLD drug addict has been spared jail after being caught in possession of heroin and crack cocaine.

Scott McCloskey, of Orwell Road, pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs at South East Magistrates' Court on Friday .

McCloskey, who is unemployed and claiming benefits, was spotted leaving the Co-op in Stoke Street, Ipswich by officers in an unmarked police car on May 19.

Known to police as a drug user, McCloskey was asked if he was carrying anything. He immediately surrendered two plastic wraps containing 0.4 grams of heroin and 0.3g of crack, each worth about £20.

Representing McCloskey, Claire Hullock said: “My client has been a drug user for the last 20 years but has recently been getting help for his addiction and is collecting a prescription for methadone. He has voluntarily joined a drug rehabilitation scheme and he feels that this is a temporary lapse.

“I ask you to take into account his guilty plea and his full and frank admission to police at the time of his arrest.”

McCloskey has eight previous convictions to his name and was released from prison in November after being caught in possession of a Class A drug.

Magistrates decided not to send him back to jail, choosing instead to impose a one year conditional discharge for the offence.

Michael Osborne, chair of the bench, said: “You co-operated fully with police and have been out of trouble for the last six months. If you avoid conviction for any other crimes in the next year you will hear no more from us.”