TWO men caught with a bag of cocaine have been jailed for five years.
The families of Stephen Bendall, 44, and Kevin Shaw, 40, shouted abuse at the judge at Teesside Crown Court when the sentences were passed.
Police caught the pair sitting in an Audi car parked in the entrance to a field, in Wilton Lane, near Guisborough.
Yvonne Taylor, prosecuting, said in the car was a bag of cocaine with a street value of more than £2,000.
When they were challenged, Bendall got out of the car and threw a packet behind his back, which was later found to contain amphetamine.
Adrian Dent, defending, said that Bendall expected to go to prison and he was extremely frightened.
Mr Dent said: "He has put in jeopardy his home and possibly his relationship with his partner. He does recognise that he has problems with alcohol and cocaine because he had attended for counselling earlier this year."
Rod Hunt, defending Shaw, said his client was unlikely to offend again after his release because he had learned a hard lesson.
"He has a family who think the world of him, he has a trade and a family and in effect the support system will be waiting for him," said Mr Hunt.
Recorder Kelbrick said: "You told the court that you were on your way to Redcar for a night out drinking, socialising, and perhaps that is where the drugs were to be disposed of."
Bendall, of Hill Street, Redcar, and Shaw, of Ryhope Avenue, Stockton, were found guilty after a three-day trial last month of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply on December 20 last year. Shaw was also convicted of possession of amphetamine.
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