A MAN was caught on his way to deliver a consignment of cocaine to help meet his son’s drug debt, a court was told.

William Anthony Greenwood was stopped by police as he rode a mini-moto off-road motorcycle in West Rainton, near Durham, on Thursday, January 16.

Durham Crown Court was told that police, who pulled him over in Woodland View, recovered a package containing 50.3 grams of cocaine.

Greenwood today (Monday, June 16) admitted a charge of possessing the class A drug with intent to supply.

Caroline Goodwin, representing Greenwood, told the court: “The defendant indicates that he found himself paying off a drug debt for his son and there had been threats over the well-being of himself and his wife.

“He found the repayments difficult as they were extortionate.

“He was asked to hold a package and some scales overnight. He was to deliver it to an address and that’s when he was stopped.

“He believed it would help the debt owed and said he felt he had no viable option.

Miss Goodwin added: “He accepts he knew it contained drugs, but he didn’t know the amount.”

Kathryn Dodds, prosecuting, said the Crown would require a week to consider whether or not it accepted the basis of plea put to the court.

If not, a judge will be asked to decide on what basis Greenwood is sentenced after a trial of issue,

Recorder Jonathan Carroll adjourned sentence for three weeks and asked the Probation Service to draw up a background report on Greenwood.

Greenwood, 48, of Wear Street, Chilton Moor, near Houghton-le-Spring, must return for sentence on a date to be agreed in the week beginning July 7.