A suspected drug dealer from east London has appeared in court after being arrested by police near Alton.

Dadhurshanan Wairaiya was charged last Monday with possession of a Class A drug – crack cocaine – with intent to supply and possession of a Class B drug.

The 25-year-old of Ravenhill Road, Plaistow, was stopped and arrested by police on Saturday, June 1 on the A31.

He will appear at Winchester Crown Court on July 5 having been remanded in custody following an appearance at Basingstoke Magistrates Court early this week.

Drugs accounted for four of the 94 crimes reported in Alton in March according to the latest police data.

Crimes involving violence or sexual offences were the most commonly reported with 40 overall, while there were a dozen incidents involving anti-social behaviour.

Three of the latter took place on Ackender Road while five burglaries were also reported in Alton during the month.