A STUDENT was forced to halt his university studies after police discovered cocaine in his home.

Sean Bradley was labelled “muggins” by Judge Peter Armstrong who also referred to a past family tragedy linked to drugs, telling the 22-year-old that “You more than anybody should know the dangers”.

Police found 9.32g of cocaine with a street value of £775 after being called to investigate an apparent burglary on February 12 this year.

Bradley was arrested and said he bought the cocaine with a group of friends.

John Nixon, for Bradley, of Pennington Close, Billingham, who admitted supplying a class A drug, said: “He seems to be a thoroughly decent young man who has taken the wrong path.”

He said Bradley had quit university as criminal proceedings meant he was unable to concentrate on his studies.

Judge Armstrong said there was substantial mitigation and suspended a 16 month prison sentence on the defendant for two years.

Bradley was also told to complete 100 hours unpaid work.