AN allotment shed was used as the "shop front" to supply cocaine and cannabis, a court heard.

Ross Taylor, 27, and accomplice Mathew George Arthurs, 24, sold the drugs at a family allotment and shed at Baxter Wood, off Toll House Road, near Durham.

Durham Crown Court heard that police watched Taylor, who also sold drugs from a car.

Taylor, Arthurs and John Alexander Clarke, who is also accused, were seen at the allotment, where two customers arrived to buy drugs in little more than an hour.

Police later stopped their car as they left the allotment. Taylor had £255, while Clarke had a 10oz lump of cannabis in a sock.

During a search of the shed, police found 5.18g of cocaine in a pill box in a cupboard.

Taylor, of Melvin Court, Esh Winning, near Durham, admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply and supplying cannabis.

Arthurs, of Welby Drive, Ushaw Moor, near Durham, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis, between March and July last year.

Clarke, 22, of Brookdale, Belmont, near Durham, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and possession of the class C drug, both on July 30 last year.

Nick Peacock, for Taylor, said his life has been "devastated" by drug abuse, graduating from taking cannabis to cocaine.

Paul Caulfield, for Arthurs, said he had a psychological drug dependence, but is now "drug free".

Rachel Hedworth, for Clarke, said he, too, had a drug problem, and the proceedings have "given him a shock".

Judge Richard Lowden jailed Taylor for nine months, while Arthurs was fined £250 and Clarke was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order.

Both Clarke and Arthurs must pay £100 costs, while Judge Lowden ordered confiscation of the £255 found on Taylor on arrest.