A 36-year old Cricklade man caught with £2,000 worth of cocaine and £500 worth of ecstasy tablets has been given a 12-month suspended jail term.

Gloucester Crown Court was told that would-be publican Jason Davis was a hard working family man trying to juggle raising his son with full time work as a chef and he fell into drug use after his partner of 17 years left him.

Davis, of Fairfield, Cricklade, pleaded guilty to possessing 32.85g of cocaine and his denial of having it with intent to supply was accepted by the prosecution.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing 63 MDMA tablets with the intent to supply.

Prosecuting Janine Wood said that, on May 3, Davis was detained by police in the Cotswolds for an unrelated matter and when searched two clear plastic bags were found.

One contained a quantity of cocaine and the other the 63 ecstasy tablets.

He was also found to be carrying £3,000 in bank notes plus another £142.39 in his pockets.

"When interviewed he gave a prepared statement and said the cash came from selling a car and he was addicted to heroin and bought the drugs for his own use," the prosecutor said.

Defending Lloyd Jenkins said it was "an unusual case" as his client has no history of drug dealing.

"This appears to be a one-off isolated incident," he said.

"He had the income to buy a big block of drugs. He sold his car for £10,000. He gave part to his ex-partner and went on a binge, which was somewhat indulgent, with the rest of the money.

"He is better than this, he knows that. At 36 years of age he had no previous convictions so I asked him where it all went wrong.

"He says the catalyst was when, in 2013, his partner of 17 years left him with his son who was 14 at the time. He had a busy job as a chef, working unsociable hours while trying to raise his son.

"He began training to be a financial adviser but after that didn't work out he found himself on Jobseekers Allowance and later Employment Support Allowance.

"He became depressed and lonely and was prescribed medication by his GP.

"He says he got involved in cocaine through a girl he met in 2015. He says he was weak and foolish and let the cocaine take him.

"He has been doing agency work as a chef but plans to take over the Tap and Barrel in Swindon. He currently resides with his parents and has their full support.

"This is completely out of character for him. He has a son he wants to make an impression on and he can't do that from behind bars."

Recorder Christine Agnew QC, told Davis: "You seem a responsible man with a career and a son.

"It is a serious offence but in this case I am prepared to suspend the sentence. You will receive 12 months suspended for six months and 15 days rehabilitation activity.

"You will also undertake 120 hours of unpaid work."