Police searched a man twice in the space of five weeks and both times found he was in possession of hard drugs, a court heard.

Sherlock Harte, 46, of Stephenson Way, Three Bridges, Crawley, pleaded guilty to two charges of having crack cocaine, two counts of possessing diamorphine (heroin) and admitted a further charge of carrying a knife.

Richard Lynn, prosecuting, told magistrates in Crawley how police officers first searched Harte when they found him sitting in a car in the Goffs Park car park on April 4.

He said: "They found he was carrying wraps of crack cocaine and a small amount of diamorphine.

"He was also in possession of a lock knife."

Five weeks later, on May 11, police arrested Harte after they received a report a man had been seen injecting himself in the toilets of the Apple Tree pub.

He was again found to be carrying diamorphine and crack cocaine. According to Mr Lynn, the drugs had a street value of £100.

Geoff White, defending, told the court: "My client worked in the music industry for some years where the use of illegal, mind-altering substances is endemic.

"He turned to drugs as a prop to combat unhappiness and depression but since these offences he has started a job as a care worker in a residential home, which he finds very rewarding."

Magistrates imposed 100 hours' community punishment on each of the five charges, to be served concurrently. Harte was also ordered to pay £118 costs.