BUYING a metal cosh to show off with, got Ipswich man Daniel Fenn in hot water when police stopped the car he was in.Although the traffic police were only stopping the car for a routine document check, they spotted the extendable cosh in the front of the car.

BUYING a metal cosh to show off with, got Ipswich man Daniel Fenn in hot water when police stopped the car he was in.

Although the traffic police were only stopping the car for a routine document check, they spotted the extendable cosh in the front of the car.

Admitting that the cosh belonged to him Fenn was charged with possession of an offensive weapon and brought before South East Suffolk Magistrates.

He also answered charges of possessing heroin found during a police raid where he was living almost 18 months ago, in October 2001.

Fenn, from Roundwood Road, Ipswich pleaded guilty to both charges.

Two other charges, one of possessing cocaine and another of possessing an article with a blade in a public place were dropped.

Magistrates at the Elm Street court in Ipswich heard how Fenn had been travelling with a friend on the day the car was stopped by police and the metal cosh had been in the footwell of the front passenger seat.

Prosecuting Godfried Duah, told the court: "He admitted that he had bought the metal cosh but had bought it for training purposes and did not intend to use it as a weapon.

"He had just bought the item to show off."

It was also said that Fenn had the cosh with him because he decided he no longer wanted it and was hoping to sell it to his friend.

Defending Naomi Turner told the court that Fenn had been addicted to heroin but had now made major lifestyle changes in a bid to kick the habit for good.

Police had found only a small amount of heroin during the raid, which was worth around £10 and was only for personal use.

She said that when he was arrested and charged for possessing heroin he had been living in a house with other addicts.

Mrs Turner said that he had been using heroin for four years prior to August 2002. She said: "It could have been a different story if he had not had the support of his parents and taken stock of his situation.

"His mother had indicated that she wished to help him get over the addiction and took him to a private doctor in Felixstowe."

Fenn has moved back home and changed his friends in a bid to do that and also now has a full time job.

He was given a 12 month conditional discharge for possessing the heroin and was fined £100 for being in possession of an offensive weapon.