A Paola man was jailed for nine months after he was found guilty of possessing heroin which was not for his own use.

Sean Briffa, 25, was found in possession of 3.581 grammes of heroin as well as cocaine on 9 January 2002. He admitted that he had been taking heroin for the previous eight months.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano, heard that during a search carried out in Briffa’s house the police found 16 sachets of heroin, scales, small pieces of cannabis, an ecstasy pill, mobile phones and Lm170 in cash.

He also admitted to smoking cannabis, selling Lm5 worth of heroin and sachets with Lm10 worth of the drugs.

A representative of Sedqa, Josette Camilleri, said Briffa attended Sedqa courses from 26 November 2001 and reported that he was striving to get out of his drug-related problems. The court also heard how Briffa had starting taking drugs after his girlfriend had died in an accident.

Police Superintendent Neil Harrison led the prosecution while Dr Franco Debono and Dr Charmaine Cherrett appeared for the accused.