A COLDEN Common man has avoided a prison sentence after he was found with drugs and a knife in Winchester.

Richard Sambells, 51, of Orchard Close, was caught with heroin on Upper High Street on December 5, a court was told. Police also found a knife on him in Swan Lane.

Sambells pleaded guilty to both charges.

Basingstoke Magistrates Court jailed him for 12 weeks but suspended the sentence for 12 months.

Sambells must also be under an electronically monitored curfew at his home address between 9pm and 5am for three months to March 20. An exception to the residence rule allowed him to stay in Porlock, Somerset, between Christmas Eve and December 27.