A man was sentenced to a year behind bars yesterday after he admitted possession of heroin and drug equipment.

Kervin Astwood, 57, pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court to possession of the drug with intent to supply and a pipe for use with drugs.

The court heard that police officers acting on a tip-off arrested Astwood and several other men at Ducking Stool National Park in Pembroke.

Police found several small bags on Astwood containing an off-white powder and rocklike substances, later identified as diamorphine, or heroin.

Officers also searched the house of Katherine Good, who knew Astwood, and seized $4,740 that she identified as Astwood’s.

They also found a pouch that contained a pipe later found to have traces of cannabis.

Astwood admitted to police that he collected heroin from an unidentified person and sold it to someone else for $200.

He added that he had made the same exchange six times over the space of two months.

Astwood also said that the pipe was for his own possession and use.

The incident took place on November 11 last year.

Astwood, from Hamilton Parish, told the court: “I’m not a drug dealer — I was raising this money for my health.”

Magistrate Maxanne Anderson sentenced him to nine months imprisonment for possession of drugs with intent to sell.

He was also sentenced to a three months for possession of drug equipment.

Ms Anderson ordered that the sentences run consecutively.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding court cases. As we are legally liable for any libellous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.