A MAN stopped in possession of drugs told police officers that he found them by a skip, South Durham Magistrates' Court heard.

Michael Anthony Evers, 30, of Chaucer Road, Darlington, was riding his bike along Bondgate at 4.15am when he was stopped and questioned.

Paul Hunter, prosecuting, told the court that on emptying his pockets he produced three bags of white powder, two of which contained amphetamines.

In an interview, he told police that he found the drugs, together with a £5 note, next to a skip in the town centre.

Michael Rayner, in mitigation, said his client had been made subject to a 12-month community rehabilitation order in June last year for motoring offences.

Evers pleaded guilty to being in possession of 8.87 grams of amphetamines in September last year and was fined £50, plus £35 costs.