A MAN who tried to smuggle over £4,000 worth of drugs in food packets into the Boomtown music festival has escaped a prison sentence.

Shaun Saunders was stopped on his way into the event at the Matterley Estate, near Alresford, on August 8, 2019, and 24 wraps of white powder were found in a Pringles tube.

The 23-year-old was arrested, and a thorough search of his suitcase was carried out, with more drugs found in Pot Noodle sachets.

Winchester Crown Court heard on Monday that the tree surgeon had drugs worth £4,275 in his luggage including 24 grams of ketamine, 115 MDMA tablets and five grams of magic mushrooms.

Alec Williams, prosecuting, said that the Saunders planned to sell the class A and B drugs to a close circle of friends who he attended the festival with, in exchange for free drugs from his dealer.

He added: “It is not a usual case of intent to supply, having said that it is, in terms of role, it is a significant role.

“There is a motivation for advantage, an advantage that he is getting free drugs.”