A DRUG user from Bowness has been ordered by a court to do unpaid community work – because the discipline will do him good.

Ryan Footitt, 24, of Helm Close, pleaded guilty to possessing small amounts of cannabis and amphetamine and to a minor public order offence.

When he appeared to be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday there were initially doubts as to whether, because he suffers from Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHT), he would be able to carry out the community work the judge had in mind.

But a probation officer intervened to say that such a sentence could be just what he needed.

“He would need to show some commitment and self discipline and that may be no bad thing,” he said.

Judge Peter Hughes QC ordered Footitt to do 60 hours community work and pay a £60 victim surcharge.

He told him: “I believe it will benefit you and give you the opportunity of doing something worthwhile to pay back for the offences you have committed.”