A DRUG user was caught by police on his birthday after he asked officers to turn his van lights off.

Bolton Crown Court heard how police visited Mitchell Battel’s home on December 30 2015 for an unrelated matter.

Juliet Berry, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was arrested and asked one of the officers to go to his van and switch of the headlights.”

But inside the vehicle the policeman smelled cannabis and a search found hidden packages of heroin and crack cocaine.

In total there was 2.8g of heroin in 19 packages and 4.49g of crack cocaine in 46 packages.

Battel told police that he had visited his dealer earlier in the day and snatched a a packet of drugs from him.

He then later admitted he had bought such a large quantity of drugs in order to celebrate his birthday that day with friends.

Battel, aged 26, of Bampton Close, Westhoughton, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

The court heard that he has six previous convictions for 10 offences but they mainly involved domestic violence and non were for drug dealing.

Sally Penni, defending, said Battel, a skilled roofer, had become involved in crime after struggling to come to terms with his mother remarrying and emigrating to America.

She added: “The date in question was his birthday.

“He is remorseful and realises the dangers of drugs.”

Battel appeared in court via a video link from Forest Bank prison.

Judge Graeme Smith told him: “You had obtained the drugs with a view to celebrating your birthday with your friends.

“You potentially had significantly more than you required (for your own purpose).”

The judge was told that, whilst in prison, Battel had made changes to his life and is now drug free.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, with supervision by the probation service.

He will also be subject to an electronically tagged 9pm to 7am curfew for three months.

The drugs have been forfeited and will be destroyed.