AN ALCOHOLIC drug addict, who was caught with cocaine worth up to £4,000 at his home, has promised a judge he is going to turn his life around.

A day after the birth of his first grandchild 52-year-old Michael Thompson appeared at Bolton Crown Court pleading guilty to possessing cocaine and the opioid buprenophine with intent to supply.

David Lees, prosecuting, told Judge Richard Gioserano that police raided Thompson's home in Oriel Street, Deane, on August 29 last year and found 90 buprenophine tablets, worth around £450, mobile phones, scales and 34g of cocaine in two bags.

When Mr Lees told how the cocaine could be used to create up to 340 street deals Thompson, sitting in the dock, looked surprised.

The court heard that Thompson had allowed his home to be used by others as a safehouse for storing drugs.

Joshua Bowker, defending, said he had been addicted to heroin and alcohol for many years and described him as "vulnerable".

"People were coming to his house every day to abuse drink and drugs," he added.

Judge Gioserano sentenced Thompson to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work as well as 20 days of rehabilitation activities and six months of drug treatment.

The judge asked him: "You are 52 years of age and you look older. Have you not had enough?"

"Completely", replied Thompson, who added that he is determined to change his life following the birth of his grandchild.