POLICE found three bags of cocaine when they stopped a car in Station Road, New Milton, a court heard.

Passenger James Woodford was found with three bags of cocaine and a search of his home yielded a further three bags with a deals list as well as drugs paraphernalia.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke told Southampton Crown Court the cocaine was valued at £280 and when Woodford’s phone was examined, it was found to contain 200 drug related messages.

Chris Gaiger, defending, said they came from a small circle of friends and Woodford had agreed to purchase drugs to sell to them to support his habit without making any financial gain.

Only four of the messages involved cocaine which he had been using socially for six years.

The rest concerned cannabis which he had been using for about 10 years.

He added it was “a small operation” that went on for about six weeks.

Woodford, 24, of Nada Road, Christchurch, admitted possessing drugs, possessing them with intent to supply and being concerned in their supply.

He received a 16-month suspended sentence with 18 months supervision and a 120-hour community work order.

He was also told to pay a £100 community surcharge.