The disgraced former drugs advisor to PM Theresa May has admitted having heroin and crack cocaine in his bedroom during a police raid on his flat.
Nigel Voden, 48, received the lowest possible sentence at Hendon Magistrates Court, where a judge ruled he could "exceptionally" absolutely discharge the Oxford graduate.
Voden, of Newstead House, Byron Road, Harrow pleaded guilty to possessing diamorphine - a Class A drug - on October 1, last year.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing three rocks of crack cocaine - also a Class A drug.
Voden was a Home Office advisor during May's tenure as Secretary at the department - giving advice on the department's drug and alcohol policies.
The court heard the drugs seized during the Territorial Support Group (TSG) raid were gay Voden's boyfriend's, but he admitted the offences on the basis he "dipped into" the illegal substances.
Three other men, aged 18, 25 and 37 were arrested during the raid and two of them have been deported.
Ex-social worker Voden is a former immigration officer and was chair of Spectrum, the Home Office network for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members of staff.
Prosecutor Miss Arlene De Silva told the court: "Officers from the TSG unit executed a drugs search warrant at the address and entry was forced via the front door.
"Inside were two bedrooms and in one of them a blue bag containing heroin was found in a chest of drawers and in the bed itself three small rocks of crack cocaine.
"In the wardrobe were two bags containing herbal cannabis, digital scales and a quantity of self-seal plastic bags.
"Other items were found in other rooms."
His lawyer Miss Kate Goold said: "This case is quite exceptional in the effect it has had on Mr. Voden.
"The TSG arrest was filmed by The Sun newspaper and received a great deal of publicity and he lost his job and livelihood.
"He has also been on bail since last October.
"One other arrested person pleaded guilty and accepted sole possession of the drugs .
"Mr. Voden's guilty plea is on the basis he was allowed to dip in to the other person's drugs and the other two individuals in the house have been deported.
"He is vulnerable because of a two-year breakdown as a result of an abusive relationship.
"That former partner allowed people to come into the house and made drugs available.
"He is now out of that relationship, is receiving psychiatric assistance and is taking medication.
"Mr. Voden has lost everything. He's lost his job, his relationship is over.
"This has been a very difficult period and makes him vulnerable, the publicity, the front-page headlines.
"He is not addicted to drugs, he does not use drugs."
After reading a letter from Voden's psychiatrist District Judge Dennis Brennan announced: "I interrupted Miss Goold and even though this is a serious allegation I asked her if she wanted a conditional discharge.
"She said no, she wanted an absolute discharge and I agree that in the particular circumstances of this case that is the only appropriate way to deal with it."
The judge told Voden, who had difficulty hearing behind the dock's secure glass: "In your particular case and quite exceptionally I find it is appropriate to make an absolute discharge."
The Crown Prosecution Service's request for £85 costs was rejected by the judge, who ordered the drugs to be destroyed.
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