The deputy governor of an Oxfordshire prison faces losing his career after being fined for cocaine possession.

Terry McLaren, who was second-in-command at Bullingdon Prison, near Bicester, was fined £250 and ordered to pay £55 costs after pleading guilty at Woolwich Magistrates' Court on May 6 to possessing 4.79g of the drug.

The bench heard that police searched a bedsit in Blackheath, south London, where McLaren was living in January, and found the powder in a bag under the bed.

Crown prosecutor Tina Charles told the court: "They found a black studded bag under the bed, and inside that, a sealed bag containing 4.79g of cocaine. There was also drug paraphernalia, a razor blade, two mirrors and snorting material. He is the deputy governor of Bullingdon Prison."

Alex de Santos, defending, said it was a small amount of cocaine for personal use. His client had made a full and frank admission and had pleaded guilty at his first court appearance.

Mr de Santos said McLaren had 23 years' unblemished service, and had received commendations and rapid promotion. He added: "This offence has put his career in jeopardy; he faces far-reaching consequences."