AN addict hid heroin between his buttocks twice but it was found when police carried out strip searches.

Stephen Lines, aged 36, of Northwick Court, Malvern, admitted two counts of possession of heroin when he appeared before magistrates.

The court was told how Lines was seen by police on Pickersleigh Road, Malvern, discarding a wrap of heroin on the ground on October 11 last year.

As a result he was taken to the police station.

Mark Johnson, prosecuting, said: “During a strip search a further 14 wraps were found, secured and held between Mr Lines’ buttocks.” Police said the heroin, which weighed 6.73g, was 52 per cent in purity and had a street value of about £250.

Lines told police he bought the heroin in Malvern for £100 but would not tell the police who he bought the wraps from, Mr Johnson said.

Officers conducted a second strip search on December 10 last year when Lines was seen behaving suspiciously in a car.

They located a single wrap of heroin, again lodged between his buttocks.

Police said the heroin weighed 74 milligrams and was about 41 per cent purity.

Lines told police he bought it for £60 in an alleyway in Birmingham.

Chris Ball, chairman of the bench, said the case should have come to court sooner.

Mark Turnbull, defending, said Lines had got clean of drugs. He said: “What we have in the later part of last year is a relapse. He is back on a methadone script and getting negative test results.”

Magistrates ordered Lines to be supervised for 12 months and to take part in 125 hours of skills training which will include cognitive development and workfocused activities.

He was also told to pay £85 court costs.