A MAN caught in possession of cocaine when stopped in his car and arrested by police last month claims he was acting as a “courier”.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court, Jason Mawson admitted possessing the class A dug with intent to supply.

But his counsel, Jane Waugh, said it was on the basis he was acting as a courier.

“I understand the Crown can’t accept that at the moment as his phone was seized and is awaiting analysis.”

Anthony Dunne, prosecuting, said: “A number of phones were seized in this investigation and another person present in the car is under investigation.

“The Crown asks for sentence to be delayed until phone analysis takes place.”

But Mr Dunne said forensic analysis of the recovered drugs concluded it was 500g of 85-per cent pure cocaine.

Miss Waugh said the defendant has not previously been convicted of a serious drugs offence and asked for preparation of a probation background report.

But Judge James Adkin said: “It’s going to be a custody case so I’m not sure the resources of the Probation Service will be required.”

He told Mawson: “You have pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply.

“I can’t sentence you today because there may be a dispute as to whether you were holding them for someone else or transporting them for wholesale to other drug dealers.”

He bailed the 51-year-old defendant, of Grey Street, Crook, to return for sentence, or a trial of issue and then sentence, on October 25.

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