A 46-year-old man was sentenced in Magistrates' Court to two years probation and ordered to attend a drug programme.

Henry William Santucci, who lives at the Salvation Army, pleaded guilty to possession of equipment for the use of a controlled drug.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court that at 11.15 p.m. on October 4, 2006, Santucci was found sleeping by Police on the steps behind Hubie's Bar, in Angle Street.

The officers woke him and searched his belongings and found two pipes with plastic tubing in his green travel bag. The arrested him for possession of drug equipment and transported him to Hamilton Police Station.

The pipes were found to contain remnants of cocaine.

Santucci told the court he was sleeping because he had been up all night washing cars and cleaning up at Swinging Doors bar.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: "This society is such that you can make money washing cars to support your drug habit. You don't have to steal, but it's still a criminal offence to have drugs."

Mr. Warner added: "This is the last investment in you sir."

He then sentenced Santucci to two years probation on the condition he attends a drug programme.