A man who clubbed together with friends so they could cut the cost of their cocaine benders has been jailed.
Police found £1,000-worth of the highly-addictive drug when they searched Steven Devine's home in Mansell Crescent, Peterlee, and a garage at his parent's house in nearby Eskdale Walk in a raid.
Durham Crown Court was told how cocaine, found hid
den in a chocolate box, had a 31 per cent purity and was worth £1,108, but would have been worth £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 self-seal carrier bags, with a further amount of weaker cocaine, worth £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 a group of pals to buy and share the drugs.
He admitted possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply when he appeared at court yesterday.
The court heard Devine had started cocaine three years ago and has since 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 as "evil".
The judge said: "You pleaded guilty on the basis that you and friends had effectively taken the decision to buy cocaine in bulk to share. It was not for commercial gain.
"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, although I have seen you have taken steps to address that.
"I hope these efforts continue to better your future. I have thought anxiously whether I can suspend this sentence. I can't. This offending is so serious only a custodial sentence will suffice."
