POLICE caught a drug dealer with four blocks of cannabis resin on his kitchen worktop, a court was told yesterday.

Stephen Barber, 32, from Ferryhill, also had thousands of pounds in cash in the boot of his car, said Philip Lancaster, prosecuting.

The police raid on Barber's home netted cocaine, cannabis and Ecstasy tablets worth nearly £9,000 and more than £7,000 in cash.

Barber said he was looking after some of the drugs for someone he would not name, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Mr Lancaster said: "The drugs were clearly visible in the kitchen, along with a set of scales and plastic bags."

Rod Hunt, for Barber, said he had used his recent time as a remand prisoner to learn a new trade ready for when he would eventually be released from prison.

Barber, of Brancepeth Road, was jailed for three years and nine months after he admitted charges of possessing Class A and B drugs with intent to supply them to others.

Judge Michael Taylor ordered the confiscation of the car and money, and a collection of mobile telephones.

The judge told him: "The paraphernalia makes it quite clear that you were involved as more than a temporary staging post."