A HOSPITAL porter who turned to a life of crime to fund fertility treatment for his wife was ordered to pay £12,500 after a proceed of crime hearing.

Ian Woodhouse, 31, of Queen Street, Nantyglo, had worked at Neville Hall hospital.

Last year he admitted possessing drugs with intent to supply and had been jailed for nine months suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 70 hours unpaid work.

During his case in June, Cardiff Crown court heard from prosecutor Jeffrey Jones said Woodhouse was arrested at the hospital on suspicion of stealing drugs and a warrant to search his home was executed on January 24, 2007.

There they found a freezer and a cupboard containing 171 grams of cannabis capable of making 1,206 reefer cigarettes and £1,000 cash.

The police later returned to Woodhouse's workplace and more cannabis was found in his rucksack.

Woodhouses council Andrew Morse said the charges "reached devestation" on his life.

The reason for him becoming involved with drugs was to fund fertility treatment costing £3,500 for his wife, who has no children.

"He didnt think before he acted and he was extremely foolish".

Mr Morse said Woodhouse had had a good work ethic and had held his job for nine and a half years.

Mr Morse said that Woodhouse would only supply known drug users and didn't supply while at work.

During the proceeds of crime hearing, Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said Woodhouse's made £12,500 from his crime and Woodhouse told the court that he had the money to pay back.

He was given six months to pay the sum and in default he would go to prison for 12 months.

Recorder Peter Thomas said: "Working in the health service you must have known the misery caused by drugs.

"In my opinion you were clearly making a profit out of commercial dealing on a reletively low level.

"You have lost your job, your pension and a good reputation".

The Recorder said Woodhouse had "been on a knife edge".

He added "You never know how close you were to going to prison".

A spokesman for Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust said he no-longer worked there following the original court case.