A GAMBLER who said it was unbelievable that drugs were found in the house where he was arrested, was yesterday found guilty of taking part in a conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.

When the police raid took place,Colin Noble, 29, was carrying more than £2,000, which he saidwas his winnings, and he claimed that he had just arrived at the house for a coffee.

Noble, from, Darlington, produced records from Stanley Racing's betting office in the town to show that in one recent day he had been £6,000 up from four bets, then £490 up two days later, and down £312.50 another day.

Ian West, prosecuting, said crack cocaine and heroin worth £6,300 was found dumped in a kitchen sink at the house in Belle Vue Court, Stockton, where Noble was found carrying £2,296.

Noble said that he had been to Redcar with two friends to play the slot machines in the seafront arcades.

He rang his friend, Yasser Younis, who invited him to call at the Stockton address for a coffee on his way back to Darlington, Noble claimed.

Noble, of Marlborough Drive, Darlington, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in June and July last year.

Younis, 24, of Russell Street, Stockton, Peter Dawson, 30, of Appleton Road, Stockton, and David Ker, 28, of Londonderry Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy with other persons unknown.

Kimberley Magson, 39, of Ketton Road, Stockton, who was twice caught with crack cocaine in her home in Westfield Court, Stockton, was also found guilty of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine. Earlier she pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply on May 10 last year.

Noble was remanded in custody before sentence and Magson was granted bail for pre-sentence reports.