A BIDEFORD man with a ten-year heroin addiction has appeared in court for the first time following a routine car check by police.

Peter Kendall, 39, from Honestone Street said although he had been addicted to heroin for the past ten years he had avoided ever being in the courts as he worked, and never stole to feed his habit.

Police stopped the car for a routine check in Bishops Tawton in Barnstaple on Thursday, May 6 when they saw Kendall try to swallow something. North Devon Magistrates Court heard it was a wrap of 3.59grammes of heroin.

He told police during the interview he bought a £200 lump of heroin every three to four weeks and he had a half gram a day habit, but didn't commit crime to pay for it.

Mark Haddow for the prosecution confirmed Kendall had no previous convictions.

Defending himself Kendall said: "I used to work until a couple of years ago when I got a bad back.

"Since then I've not worked, but I've never shoplifted or anything like that. Its always been work that's supported my habit."

Presiding magistrate Susan Poxon said she was delighted Kendall had begun getting help by signing up to a programme.

She gave him 12 months conditional discharge and ordered forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.