A British disc jockey, who was so addicted to the drug known as Meow Meow that he bought it in bulk to get a better deal, was yesterday cleared of aggravated possession of the substance.

David Lee Rogers, 41, who has been living in Malta since 2009, was handed a suspended sentence after being found guilty of simple possession.

Magistrate Miriam Hayman heard that Mr Rogers had been arrested in December 2011 when Drug Squad police raided his apartment in Msida where they found 175 grams of mephedrone, commonly known as Meow Meow, ketamine and cannabis.

He was accused of aggravated possession and of committing a crime within 100 metres from a place usually frequented by young people.

The court immediately dismissed the last charge after a court-appointed expert reported that Mr Rogers’ apartment was situated in the vicinity of the Msida primary school but beyond the range prescribed by law.

Mr Rogers told the court he came to Malta because of the drug problem he had. Ketamine abuse left him in a poor physical condition and he could barely walk. That was why he switched to mephedrone. He said he consumed between seven and 11 grams daily and found it cheaper to purchase the drug in bulk by having it delivered to him from the UK by post.

Asked about the electronic weighing scales found in his apartment, Mr Rogers said he weighed the substance carefully so as not to overdose.

Magistrate Hayman said she found no reason to disbelieve Mr Rogers’ explanation that he switched from ketamine to mephedrone because of the effects on his health as he consumed the drug in “alarming quantities”.

She found him guilty of simple possession of the concoction of drugs found in his flat and sentenced him for a year in jail, suspended for two years. She also fined him €1,000 and ordered him to pay almost €2,300 in court expenses. Police Inspector Pierre Grech prosecuted.

Lawyer Roberto Montalto appeared for Mr Rogers.