A WORKER at a rehabilitation centre has admitted possession with intent to supply around £40,000 of drugs after nearly 12 years on the run.
Stephen Holmes absconded from justice in 2001 when he failed to turn up to court and fled the country.
But he was found by police earlier this year working in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Gibraltar.
The 55-year-old, who was said to have travelled the world while at large, admitted four offences at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday.
He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply MDMA, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis resin, all on September 15, 2000.
At a previous hearing the same court heard Holmes, of Brooklyn Road, in Rowanfield, Cheltenham, heard the four charges related to drugs worth an estimated £40,000.
He is jointly charged with his son Neil, now 35, who did attend the 2001 hearing and pleaded not guilty to three charges of possessing cannabis resin, herbal cannabis and amphetamines with intent to supply them to others.
A warrant for Stephen Holmes' arrest was executed at the beginning of March.
Holmes, who has been remanded in prison since his capture, will be sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on May 7.
Holmes had been working at the Bruce's Farm rehabilitation centre run by the Gibraltar Care Agency for the past three years.
When he appeared before a Gibraltar court for extradition proceedings Stipendiary Magistrate Charles Pitto described the charges against him as "serious drug-related matters".
The Bruce's Farm centre opened in September 1999 and has helped more than 350 people struggling with serious problems of addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling.
It can accommodate up to 15 patients at a time and is based in the idyllic slopes of The Rock of Gibraltar.
The charity-run centre is said to amalgamate the principles and philosophy of The Twelve Step Programme with the unique culture of that part of the south of Spain.
The Gibraltar Care Agency is said to have taken steps to strengthen its vetting procedures before Holmes was caught.
It introduced enhanced screening for employees from outside Gibraltar and workers are now required to produce criminal background checks from their countries of origin.
The policy will be extended to existing workers.