A man who was found with £115,000 worth of anabolic steroids after being stopped by police has avoided jail.

Artur Mierzwa, of Kingsnorth, Ashford, was found with the drugs, as well as a kitchen knife, scissors and a screwdriver while driving a VW Golf in Ipswich in July last year.

The 26-year-old was stopped by officers from Suffolk Police's Sentinel team at a Park and Ride in the town.

He was arrested on possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply and possessing a knife before being questioned at a nearby police station.

Following an investigation he appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on August 28 this year where he was charged with both offences.

Mierzwa pleaded guilty to both charges on November 5 and was given a 16-month suspended sentence as well as being told to undertake 160 hours unpaid work.

The force's Sentinel team provides enhanced coverge of Suffolk's road network to disrupt serious and organised criminal activity as well as providing police visibility.

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