A STUDENT has been fined after drugs were found in his bedroom at a flat where a man died.
John Guy Courtenay Kershaw was found to have three-and-a-half grams of MDMA and some cannabis after Scott Gowing-Wilks died at the apartment at the Lansdowne in Bournemouth, on May 21.
The 22-year-old admitted possession of the class A and B drugs and was fined £80 after his solicitor told magistrates in Bournemouth that drugs are part of the culture of student life.
Sam Baker, prosecuting, said police were called to the flat on Holdenhurst Road at 9.10am “after a call was made relating to a male who had overdosed”.
“Upon arrival a male was found to be deceased and others were found to be under the influence of illegal substances,” she said.
“Various drugs were found in the bedrooms of the residents and Mr Kershaw was found to have cannabis and four wraps of MDMA.”
MDMA is the class A substance commonly known as ecstasy.
In mitigation, James Moore told magistrates Mr Kershaw’s drugs had a street value of less than £100.
Kershaw, now of Cardigan Road in Bournemouth, is in the second year of his business studies course at Bournemouth University.
Mr Moore said: “I don’t wish to underplay the matters as a young man has died. It’s part of the culture among students that drug use will and does take place.
Mr Moore said Kershaw’s annual income is a £6,900 loan.
On top of the £80 fine Kershaw was ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £40 costs.
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