Coke user jailed for drug stash.

A MAN who clubbed together with friends so they could cut the cost of their cocaine benders has been jailed.

Police found pounds 1,000 worth of the highlyaddictive drug when they searched Steven Devine's home in Mansell Crescent, Peterlee, and a garage at his parents' house in nearby Eskdale Walk in a raid.

Durham Crown Court was told how cocaine, found hidden in a chocolate box, had a 31% purity and was worth pounds 1,108, but would have been worth pounds 3,000 once cut.

The search of the garage, on May 1, also uncovered a "substantial amount" of benzocaine, which is used as a cutting agent, latex gloves and sel f-seal carrier bags, with a further amount of weaker cocaine, worth pounds 224.

In interview, the 29-year-old dad-of-three told detectives it was amphetamine bought for personal use.

However, it was later confirmed to be cocaine, and Devine told investigators he had pooled cash with pals to buy and share the drugs.

He admitted possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply when he appeared at court.

Devine had started using cocaine three years ago and has sought help for drugs abuse. He had hoped to take up a job after picking up a health and safety certificate recently, but was jailed for 16 months by Recorder Jonathan Carroll who branded Class A drugs "evil".

The judge said: "You have a partner and three children and it's a pity that stability could not have been the factor to seek help for your addiction."