A drug addict had more than his habit to declare when he turned up at a substance misuse centre for an appointment, a court heard.

A recovery nurse at Turning Point in Chatham High Street asked Nicholas Noble to pull up his sagging trousers - and a gun fell on the floor.

As the 35-year-old hastily adjusted his dress, the nurse was also alarmed to see a claw hammer tucked into his trousers.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Noble of Station Road, Strood, had the plastic imitation gun and hammer for protection because he was being chased for a debt to drug dealers.

Prosecutor Trevor Wright said Noble, who had become a father two days before going to the centre on March 31 last year, appeared to be “intoxicated” when he went there in the morning.

The pistol, which had been painted black “to make it look more authentic”, fell out of his right trouser leg as he leant over to hoist up his trousers.

Noble told the nurse: “I have got dealers after me. If I don’t get my methadone I am going to buy some heroin.”

"If she hadn’t asked him to pull up his trousers she would never have seen them” - Tony Ventham, defending

Police later went to his home and found the gun and hammer there. He revealed he had taken too much diazepam and other medication.

“He said he bought the firearm for his nephew,” said Mr Wright. “The weapon was test fired. It worked. It used plastic ammunition. It was concluded it would not penetrate anything.

“There is no suggestion the nurse was threatened with it or the hammer.”

Mr Wright said Noble had been in custody since March 3 this year having been sentenced to 70 days for theft.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment after admitting possessing an imitation firearm and an offensive weapon.

Tony Ventham, defending, said of the weapons: “If she hadn’t asked him to pull up his trousers she would never have seen them.”

Judge Philip Statman replied: “It’s the public’s perception that worries me.”

Mr Ventham said Noble had been unable to have contact with his new son because of his drug habit.

“He has tried to get off drugs,” he continued. “He has become clean. He is on methadone. The prison he is in is awash with drugs.

“His partner has made it clear if he carries on using drugs he won’t see his son. He is living at a friend’s address. He did a stupid act.”

Noble protested as he was led to the cells: “When I get released I haven’t got anywhere to go and I will be back to square one.”