A VENTNOR man was found in possession of between £400 and £800 worth of cocaine after police saw him acting suspiciously.

Luke Orton, 25, of Alpine Road, initially ran off when police approached his car on December 30 — leaving his girlfriend sitting inside it.

He soon returned to face the music, the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday.

Ann Smout, prosecuting, said police initially suspected Orton was involved in a drugs deal.

They approached and he ran off, but soon returned. Police found 8.29gms of cocaine in the car which Orton said was for his personal use for the following day — celebrating New Year's Eve.

Oscar Vincent, representing Orton, said he did panic and run off initially, but quickly came back and gave a full and frank interview.

Mr Vincent said Orton led a responsible lifestyle, with a long-term girlfriend and a new job as a telecommunications engineer.

Presiding magistrate Gillian Dale said the cocaine would prove to be a "rather expensive purchase" and Orton was fined £276, with £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.