A DRUG user who was found with £1,400 worth of amphetamine has been warned he faces jail.
Phillip Pickering was in Stanhope Road, South Shields, in the early hours of October 4 when police stopped and searched him.
The 31-year-old was stumbling around, and told the officers it was because he had taken drugs the night before.
They found cannabis in his pockets and arrested him. At the police station, they found three bags of amphetamine, weighing 140g in total, and a Stanley knife blade.
Pickering, of Dock Street, South Shields, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a Class B drug and a bladed article at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
Stan Sudworth, prosecuting, told the court that police experts said the street value of the drugs is £1,400.
Mr Sudworth said that when police found the amphetamine and knife blade he said the blade was to make lines, not to use as a weapon.
Ian Cruickshank, defending, said: “While this happened, he was on two conditional discharges for similar offences. He buys the drugs using his benefit.
“He will go without food and not pay his rent to make sure he can afford them. Now he recognises what drugs are doing to him he has moved in with family, and has become a recluse. This is a man who needs both help and punishment.”
Magistrates adjourned the case until Friday for the probation service to prepare a report.
Chairman of the bench, Barry Hunter, said: “Custody is an option here.”
Pickering was released on unconditional bail.
Twitter: @shieldsgazcrime
You are in breach of a conditional discharge and you have a history of similar offences.”
Pickering was released on unconditional bail.
Twitter: @ShieldsGazCrime