Drug addict tried to hide from police in garden

Jonathan Lucas, 24, of Blackmill Close, Bexhill, hid in the back garden before officers found him and arrested him.

Prosecutor David O'Driscoll said: "This is an unhappy case in that the informant was the defendant's mother.

"He was in the garden hiding when the police arrived. They were told he had drugs on him.

"When the defendant was found he dropped a small bag which was found to have amphetamines in it.

"There was some difficulty in getting him in the police car. The mother was reluctant to have further discussions with him when he kept saying he wanted to speak to her."

Lucas appeared before Hastings magistrates on Monday and pleaded guilty to possessing speed and resisting police.

Mark Glendenning, defending, said: "The defendant was fully co-operative in police interview.

"He has a severe problem with amphetamines. He injects the drug which I am told is the fastest way to get it into his system.

"The defendant's mental health is causing him difficulties as a direct result of his drug use."

Magistrates adjourned the case until March 4 so pre-sentence reports could be drawn up.