A MAN has been sentenced by the courts for drug offences committed at Bournemouth 7s.

Hassan Bukhari, aged 24, was alleged to have been in possession of cocaine and ketamine at Chapel Gate on Friday, June 3 – the second day of this year’s popular sporting festival.

Police were reportedly called at 11.20pm after a man had been detained by security staff at the site.

Bukhari, of Tennyson Road, Chelmsford, pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug and possession of a class B at a Poole Magistrates’ Court hearing on Wednesday, June 22.

The defendant was fined £315 and ordered to pay a £34 surcharge and £85 costs.

The court ordered that the cocaine and ketamine must be forfeited and destroyed.

Ahead of this year’s event Bournemouth 7s organisers said there was a zero tolerance drugs policy. Sniffer dogs and searches upon entry were in place.

In a post on social media, a Bournemouth 7s spokesperson said: “Working alongside our partners Dorset Police, sniffer dogs will be operating at the festival entrance all weekend and festival-goers will be thoroughly searched before entering.⁠

⁠”Random spot searching will be carried out during the event and any seized drugs will be dealt with as per Dorset Police's drugs protocol for licensed premises.⁠”