William Evans in King’s Lynn court after being caught with diazepam

A 21-year-old was found “out of it” by police during a search which revealed he had taken diazepam.

William Evans, of Church Road in Tilney St Lawrence, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with possession of a Class C drug.

He pleaded guilty following a police visit to his home on April 14 which uncovered the offence.

Crown prosecutor Holly Postle told magistrates that when officers attended the address, Evans was asleep on a bed. Next to him, they found a black packet containing 71 diazepam tablets.

Mitigating, Andrew Cogan said that Evans – who had one previous conviction, for drug-driving in 2022 – has realised he will need to contact a GP if he wishes to use diazepam in the future.

“Having taken some of this diazepam, he is clearly out of it to a degree – and then the police arrive,” the solicitor said.

“The good thing about it, sir, is that he has learned his lesson and has not done it again – and will not do it again in the future.”

Magistrates, led by Paul Redhead, fined Evans £145 for his offence, and also told him to pay a £58 victim surcharge and £145 in legal costs.

An order was also made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.