A JUDGE has told a former Bournemouth University student found with more than £10,000-worth of drugs in his flat he won't "blight his future" with a prison sentence.

Sami Lane - who is also known as Samiur Ali - answered the door of his home in Columbia Road, Bournemouth to police officers on November 11 last year.

The digital media graduate told them: "I'll be honest with you - I've got a little bit of cannabis in the flat."

However, a subsequent search revealed large quantities of cannabis and almost £6,000 in cash. Four yellow bags printed with the word 'gold' were also discovered. The bags were filled with MDMA, the chemical name for ecstasy.

James Kellam, prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, said: "Following a stop and search in the Met Police area, police locally were informed of an address connected [with the initial investigation].

"Having been asked to search the address, they knocked on the door and the defendant answered."

Lane, 23, was told officers had a warrant to search the property. He told them drugs were concealed in a kitchen cupboard, a rucksack and a container under his bed.

During police interview, Lane, who now lives in Avenue Road, Romford, initially said he had built up a large stock for personal use.

"He did not pursue this [claim] and it is not something he has troubled the court with," Mr Kellam said.

Lane admitted possessing 723.9g of cannabis and 15.214g MDMA with intent to supply. He also admitted acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, namely £5,962 in cash.

The value of the cannabis was between £8,000 and £11,000. The value of the MDMA was between £1,000 and £2,000.

Claire Stevenson, mitigating, said the defendant "directed officers to where the drugs and money were and didn't seek to dispose of or conceal it".

"He got into using drugs at university," she said.

"He does have an addictive personality and he fell into the trap.

"Over four years, it became a problem and spiralled out of control."

However, Lane was not himself selling the drugs, and instead was 'minding them', the court heard.

Since the defendant's graduation, he has worked in marketing roles with companies including Nestle. He also sells ice-creams at Legoland during the summer.

He has no previous convictions.

Judge Adam Feest told Lane MDMA "can kill very easily".

"I am urged by the Sentencing Council to start by looking at a sentence of between three and four-and-a-half years. I'm going to pause so you can think about that," he said.

"Despite this significant stain on your character, it seems to me that you still have a reasonably bright future.

"I'm not going to blight that by sending you to prison today."

Lane was sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years. He must also complete 210 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months, and is subject to a three-month electronically-monitored curfew.

In addition, he must carry out 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £200 in costs.

The judge warned him: "I sit part-time as a judge.

"If you breach the order, I will make it my business to come back and re-sentence you.

"Unless there is an extremely exceptional explanation for a breach, you will be going to prison.

"If you doubt I am a man of my word, try me out and you will find I am."

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has been scheduled for later this year. Prosecutors say there is a "substantial benefit figure" of around £27,000, which takes into account the drugs themselves, the cash found in the flat and "unexplained deposits to bank accounts".