Cocaine Man Hospitalised After Swallowing Drugs When Arrested By Police

A cocaine user, desperate to avoid arrest, put his life in danger when he tried to swallow his stash of the drug after suspicious police stopped him in the street one night.

Mark Docker, 37, was taken to hospital, where concerned doctors managed to remove 1.2gms of the class A drug from his throat.

He pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing the quantity of cocaine at the junction of Cavendish Road and Clapham Common Southside, Clapham on December 8, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Nicholas Earl-Quarcoo told Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court it was 10.35pm when officers on patrol decided to stop and search Docker (pictured).

“His appearance and behaviour gave them reason to search him and they found a set of scales with white powder on them.

“When getting into the van he ran away from the officers and was then seen to place something in his mouth.

“He was put into the van, but the officers stopped to assist him in spitting it out and an ambulance was called.

“It appears he managed to swallow the drugs and was taken to Kings College Hospital, where his condition was deemed life-threatening by the staff.”

Fortunately Docker's throat was eventually cleared and a forensic examination revealed the powder was cocaine with a purity of 70-90%.

The court heard the defendant had £70 cash on him and has four previous convictions relating to class A drugs, including one for supply.

Docker was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 80 hours community service work, and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.