A MAN accused of drug dealing had £33,000 hidden in bank accounts in a false name, a court was told.

Stephen Adams, 37, also had £4,820 in cash tucked under a cushion at his girlfriend's home, and £900 inside the hollow of a table lamp at his flat, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said that detectives discovered cocaine, Ecstasy tablets and amphetamine with a street value of about £1,000 in a secret compartment in his front door.

Mr Adams, of Yarm Lane, Stockton, Teesside, denies possessing the drugs with intent to supply others. He also denies that a total of nearly £40,000 was the proceeds of drug trafficking.

Miss Egerton said Mr Adams also paid cash for a £2,315 holiday, a £560 settee, and £944 in medical fees at the private Nuffield Hospital, in Norton.

She said that for most of the time Mr Adams was claiming unemployment benefits, but he was employed for a period and his wages had been taken into account.

Mr Adams told police that the balance of the bank accounts were from the sale of a milk round, an insurance payout, an inheritance and a gambling win at a casino.

Mr Egerton said: "By using a false bank account and hiding drugs and money, he attempted to avoid prosecution as a drugs dealer and to avoid having money confiscated if he was convicted.

The trial continues.