ONLY after Scott Curtis’ mother told police he was keeping drugs under his mattress did he realise he had been short-sold substances.

Officers came to the home of the 24-year-old, in Milling Close, after the tip-off and found bags containing what he had thought was MDMA and mephedrone, or m-cat.

Forensics found that in fact the drugs were Class B chloromethcathinone and methylmethcathinone hydrochloride.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting at Swindon Magistrates' Court, said: “Police attended his home address in Ashton Keynes on April 14 after his mother called the police and told them there were controlled substances in his bedroom.

"Under the mattress they found two small bags filled with white powder and residue.

“Under caution, Mr Curtis said: ‘That’s MDMA, thanks a lot mum’.

"Forensics have identified the substances as being Class B drugs in two separate packages.

“When interviewed he said they were for his own personal use and that the other white powder was m-cat.

“He has previous convictions but not previous drug offences.

"He was initially investigated for possession with intent to supply, resulting in the charges on the basis it was for his own use.”

Mr Hicks, defending Curtis, said the case showed the dangers of buying substances which could turn out to be something completely different.

“This is a salutory lesson to Mr Curtis because he believed the substances were something else,” he said.

“I do not know what they are, but they are not legal highs, or MDMA, or m-cat. They have been classified as Class B drugs, which is what they appear to be. Somebody may well have short sold him.

“He has taken something he doesn’t know and that has naturally caused him some concern.

“In August 2011 he was injured in a forklift accident, was in a coma for a week, and it was touch and go if he was going to survive with extensive injuries including a fractured neck.

"He spent two-and-a-half months in hospital and when he came out was unable to work for a year.

"Boredom kicked in and he started drinking and taking substances.”

Curtis was fined £132 for each of the two charges of possession he admitted, with £85 court costs, a victim surcharge of £27 and a criminal courts charge of £180. The drugs were also forfeited and destroyed.