A UNIVERSITY drop out who was caught carrying heroin and crack cocaine he intended to sell has been spared jail after he went cold turkey to sort out his own drug habit.

Ali Khalid was caught when plain clothes police officers stopped a car he was a passenger in and immediately noticed the pungent smell of cannabis.

James Jarmola, prosecuting, said Khalid was taken to the police station and when he was searched, officers found 20 wraps of crack cocaine with a street value of £200 and 17 wraps of heroin worth £170.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that after locking himself away for a week, Khalid, aged 22, was now clear of drugs and saw his arrest as a "wake up call," according to Alisha Harris, defending.

She said the 22-year-old, was previously of good character and had the full support of his mother as he battled to rid himself of his addiction - a habit he picked up after falling into the wrong company.

"But as a result of his drug dealing he has had to drop out of his university course" she said, "He is clearly full of remorse for his actions and totally ashamed of getting involved with drugs."

Judge Michael Elsom told Khalid, of Bridgewater Crescent, Kates Hill, it was to his credit that he had taken determined steps to get away from drugs and he had managed to break his habit with the help of his mother.

He told Khalid he owed her a great debt for her support adding: "You are clearly someone who is capable to leading a useful and industrious life."

Khalid was given a two year prison sentence, suspended for 18 months after admitting possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.

The judge also ordered him to carry out 240 hours unpaid work in the community as he told him to "go out and make a success" with the rest of his life.