CHRISTMAS Day turned sour for 23-year-old Lee Wodecki when police unwrapped a present he was delivering to a friend and found a cache of drugs.

A court was told that several days later police raided his home in Chedglow, Malmesbury, and found a tray of cannabis by his bed, a box containing three small plastic bags filled with the drug and a set of scales.

At Chippenham Magistrates' Court last Thursday, John Elliot, defending, said Wodecki had been diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of 11 and this had stunted his growth. He now suffered from low self-esteem and depression, and took comfort from smoking cannabis.

Wodecki pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and two charges of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Prosecuting Michelle Hewitt said police stopped Wodecki's car in the early hours of Christmas morning as part of a routine stop check. She said the officers smelt a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside the car.

When interviewed Wodecki said he bought the drug for £40 and it was entirely for his own personnel use.

Mrs Hewitt said that when pressed he admitted he intended to sell or give away two of the bags containing the drug found in the plastic box in his bedroom. He said he smoked £100 of cannabis a month.

Wodecki was given a 60-hour criminal rehabilitation order and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £43.