A MAN accused of storing cannabis on parkland near his girlfriend's home told police officers he had never taken any sort of drugs.

Christopher Taylor was arrested when police raided the house where he was staying in Riverside Way, Darlington, in April, and discovered cann-abis resin in the kitchen.

Mr Taylor and another man were in the kitchen of the house where a block of cann-abis resin was in the microwave. Another block was thrown into the waste bin as police arrived, Teesside Crown Court heard. Yesterday, an interview which police had with Mr Taylor was read out to the jury in which Mr Taylor told officers he was not a drug user and had never taken any sort of drug.

He told the officers he knew nothing about the drugs that were found in the kitchen of his girlfriend's home. Mr Taylor said he had been upstairs washing, and when he return-ed he found the other man had the cannabis, the scales and some wrapping film.

Mr Taylor, 26, of St Helen, Bishop Auckland, is charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply it. He has denied the charge.

The prosecution alleges Mr Taylor was involved with the other man bagging the drug up into smaller amounts.

Mr Taylor is also alleged to have kept a stash of cannabis in a park area behind Deorna Court, Darlington.

A police dog, trained to find drugs, discovered some cann-abis there while police were keeping observations on Mr Taylor, the court had been told.

The case continues.