A DURSLEY man who went on a drunken pub crawl after a family row on Christmas Eve last year was found to have £50 worth of cocaine on him when he was arrested, a court heard yesterday (Tuesday).

David Parker, 37, of Oak Drive, Dursley had an argument with his family and left the house to walk to Stroud - calling at every pub on the way, magistrates in Cheltenham were told.

Prosecutor Peter Ashby said: “Parker stopped at every pub on the way and he consumed a large amount of alcohol throughout the day.

“He also attended a number of Christmas parties and drank a large of amount of alcohol including beer and rum.

“He was basically wrecked when he was arrested in the early hours of Christmas Day.”

The court was told that when he was taken to Gloucestershire Police custody suite he was searched and had 1.5grammes of cocaine on him in sealed wrapper in his trouser pocket.

“Parker thinks he picked up the drug wrapper at one of the parties he attended, but he has no memory of doing so," said Chris Coleman defending.

“He’s a family man, but in recent weeks he has been having difficulties at work and at home.

“He is a site supervisor at a development in Coventry and because he stays away for up to six days a week it has been putting pressure on him at home.

“He doesn’t have a drug problem as he is subject to random drug tests at work. If he fails the test he would lose his job instantly.”

The magistrates fine Parker £261, ordered him to pay court costs of £85 and pay a victim surcharge of £32.

The justices also ordered for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.