AN addict who tried to flush packages of heroin down a toilet when police carried out a drugs raid has been spared jail.

Teesside man Lee Morton was told by a judge that he was being given a final chance to turn his life around.

The 23-year-old was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years, with two years of probation service supervision.

He was also ordered to attend a drug rehabilitation course and undergo testing for illegal substances at least twice a week.

Morton was told he will have to report back to Teesside Crown Court monthly so a judge can monitor his progress.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, QC, told Morton: "There needs to be stick as well as carrot."

He added: "Your life is in your hands. If you want to throw it away, well, that would be your decision, but I am offering you a way out of your drug addiction.

"It is a very tough way, but it is a way if you have the will, but it is down to you. It means showing that you can kick the habit.

"I don't know whether you can or not and I don't know if you know whether you can or not, but here's a chance rather than go to prison.

"If you get into any more trouble and you throw away this chance, well, there's the prison door and you are free to go through it."

Teesside Crown Court heard how Morton has a criminal record containing 28 offences, mainly for drug and vehicle offences.

Prosecutor Jolyon Perks said Morton was given a 12-month conditional discharge for possessing heroin and cannabis last May.

But within five months, he was caught with 15 wraps of heroin when police raided a house in Mersey Road, Redcar.

Four males were in the house when officers executed a search warrant, but Morton grabbed the drugs from a coffee table and tried to flee.

Mr Perks said officers stopped him before he could get to the toilet, and found him clutching the packaged heroin and with £435 in his pockets.

Morton, of Blakey Close, Redcar, admitted possessing Class A drugs on October 2.