A FORMER bodyguard who claimed that staff at a Bournemouth lap-dancing club planted drugs on him has admitted he lied to police.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard yesterday that Alan Bloom, 47, of Cecil Avenue, Queen's Park, initially told officers he was the victim of a set-up.

But the ex-Army soldier, and specialist in VIP protection, later changed his story and admitted to possessing cocaine with a street value of around £200.

Prosecuting, Stuart Ellacott, said Bloom had gone to the For Your Eyes Only lap-dancing club in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, on October 23 last year.

There, he boasted to one of the dancers that he had "4gs of Charlie" and showed her a plastic bag containing white powder.

But she passed on the conversation to door staff, who approached Bloom to carry out a body search.

The staff say they then saw Bloom drop a plastic bag which was later found to contain cocaine.

After being arrested by police, Bloom claimed that club staff had planted the drugs on him when he refused to pay for sex with the dancer.

Defending, Martin Lewis said Bloom had been "very stupid" when he initially denied the matter but he had been very nave and a "novice when it comes to drugs".

Bloom was suffering from severe depression at the time of the offence, he said, and had gone out to get drunk that night after a row with his wife.

The court heard that Bloom had been in a serious road accident that left him with a shattered shoulder, and is currently surviving on incapacity benefit and a small Army pension.

"Mr Bloom is ashamed of his behaviour," said Mr Lewis. "It has had a terrible effect on his self-esteem.

"He is a man who has learned his lesson and will not trouble the courts again."

But after adjourning the case for sentencing next month, Judge John Harrow warned Bloom that he had pleaded guilty to a serious offence and was at risk of being sent to prison.

First published: October 26