A MAN who was found with thousands of pounds worth of ecstasy and cocaine he had bought for a stag weekend has been spared jail.

Ryan Nicholls had got the drugs to share with about 15 mates as they celebrated a pal's upcoming nuptials more than 18 months ago.

But after hearing the 32-year-old keen sportsman and body builder has never been in trouble in the past a judge imposed a suspended sentence.

Nicholls and housemate Daniel Payne, 28. were arrested in a dawn raid on their home in Derriads Green, Chippenham, on Wednesday November 11, 2015.

Leanne Woodman, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how inside the property both men were found with large quantities of drugs.

She said Nicholls had a bag containing 82 ecstasy pills and another ten-and-a-half fragments of tablets which could have been worth up to £405.

He also had £1,120 worth of MDMA powder, the chemical term for ecstasy, and about £600 of cocaine.

Payne was found to have more than £3,000 worth of cocaine, a small amount of cannabis, as well as a set of scales.

He also had two mobile phones but they could not be examined as he refused to give the PIN numbers to the police to access them.

Miss Woodman said that at the time Payne was on job seekers' allowance and had just 8p in his bank account.

Nicholls, of Frome, Somerset, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and ecstasy with intent to supply.

Payne, formerly of Calne but now of Stoneleigh Close, Chippenham, admitted possessing cocaine with intent and simple possession of cannabis.

Mark Sharman, for Nicholls, said his client had bought the drugs for the trip with money pooled from the other stags.

He said that he had bought them in two amounts and was storing them for the others to share when they went away.

The court was handed references from previous employers and Simon Farrell at Warminster Town FC, who said he would happily have him in his team.

Mr Sharman said he worked as a self employed timber frame and floor fitter and was very sorry for what he had done.

Andrew Stone, for Payne, said his client had a history of crime and accepted he was facing a lengthy jail term.

He said he was out of work and when a relationship broke down he bought drugs and sold them to support his crack habit.

Passing sentence Judge Robert Pawson told Nicholls "You agreed on behalf of 14 or 15 others to go out and buy drugs for a stag night.

"Some might say that is beginning to stretch the bounds of credibility. You didn't say anything in your interview about that."

He imposed a 12 month jail term suspended for two years with a five month curfew 100 hours of unpaid work and £500 costs.

Payne was told he was in a different position and was jailed for four years.