A DRUG dealer was in the midst of flushing two packages of amphetamine down his toilet when police raided his home, a court heard.

Police had gone to the home of Michael Angus, in Queen Street, Redcar, to execute a search warrant on the evening of January 13 last year.

In total they recovered more than 586 grams of amphetamine from the property with a value of up to £5,558.

Officers also found a number of zipped bags which had traces of amphetamine in them and a small amount of herbal cannabis.

Angus had a history of drugs offences, although his barrister Johnny Walker said he had shown a capacity to remain out of trouble during the more stable periods in his life.

The 49-year-old defendant admitted possession of a class B drug with intent to supply and possession of cannabis.

Judge Howard Crowson gave him a 12 month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and said he would undergo a drug rehabilitation programme.

He told Angus: “You have been using drugs for such a long time that if you don't stop you will end up in prison.”