A drug addict caught up in a police raid was found to be storing 60g of cocaine in his home in a bid to pay of his debt to a dealer.

Daniel Hatch has kept his nose clean since his arrest in March 2020 and walked away from court with a suspended sentence after tackling his own habit and staying out of trouble.

The 29-year-old was arrested with a number of other people when officers searched a house in Billingham and a subsequent search of his own home revealed the Class A drug and grip seal bags stashed in his bedroom.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Hatch maintained that he was storing the drugs for another person as part of his deal to pay off his debt.

Philip Morley, prosecuting, said Cleveland Police targeted the property on March 3, 2020, and the defendant was arrested.

He added: “This resulted in police searching the defendant’s address and found 60g of cocaine and a number of grip seal bags in a bedside table. The drugs were valued between £3,000 and £6,000.”

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The court heard how the defendant had four convictions for seven offences but none for drug related matters.

Hatch, of Hereford Terrace, Billingham, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.

Nicci Horton, in mitigation, said her client had resolved his own addiction problems since his arrest and was now working full-time as a tree surgeon’s labourer.

She added: “The search of his house and storing of the drugs is part of his way of paying off his debt. Having been arrested, he has been able to pay off some of it and the rest of it has been wiped.”

Miss Horton said Hatch had also become a father since his arrest and has not used drugs since his arrest – ‘he is now a responsible member of society’.

Recorder Jamie Hill QC sentenced Hatch to 12 months in custody, suspended for two years.

He said: “Clearly you did have an involvement in drugs which is why you were in debt and cocaine is clearly so much a source of such much crime, not only in this area but across the country.”

Hatch was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £425 towards court costs.

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