A "gifted" pianist caught with nearly 30 bags of crack cocaine and heroin in Ashtead has been spared jail.

Police caught Brandon Munetsi Mativi with the stash of drugs in Green Lane on 21 November 2008.

Mativi, 23, who admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply at Guildford Crown Court in January, had 15 packets of heroin with a 50 per cent purity and a street value of £150.

The dealer, who returned to court on Thursday, February 25, also had 14 wraps of crack cocaine with a 37 per cent purity and a £280 street value.

Rupert Hallowes, prosecuting, said Mativi was spotted driving erratically in a grey Vauxhall Astra at 2pm in Green Lane, Ashtead.

When police stopped the vehicle Mr Mativi, appeared to be under the influence of drugs, with glazed eyes and his car smelled of cannabis.

Mativi was arrested and detained after attempting to flee.

Police later searched his home in Slade Walk, Kennington, and found £350 drugs' money and a set of scales hidden in his shoe.

He told police he brought the drugs from South London into Surrey because he said would be able to sell them for more money which he needed to feed his crack cocaine habit.

Mr Hallowes said: "When asked why he travelled from south London to a cul-de-sac in Ashtead he said there was a better price for the drugs in Surrey."

Richard Button, defending, said Mativi fell into drug addiction after being stabbed 14 times in a knife attack. He said he had beaten his crack cocaine addiction since the offence.

He said: "He has shown himself to possess some highly commendable qualities. He is a gifted pianist and has achieved Level 7. He is intelligent, with a passionate side with a keen sense of commitment and duty towards his 70-year-old father."

Recorder Mr Simon Oliver sentenced Mativi to a 12-month suspended prison sentence for possessing 1.44 grams of heroin and 2.13 grams of crack cocaine with intent to supply.

He was given a six months supervision order and ordered to 100 hours unpaid work.