A MAN found in possession of a large haul of heroin at his home has denied intending to deal in the drug.

Isaac Callison was arrested following the execution of a police search warrant at an address in Pemberton Avenue, in The Grove, Consett, on Thursday March 26.

Officers taking part in the raid recovered 800-grams of diamorphine - heroin, plus smaller quantities of the class C drug diazepam and cannabis, now given a class B status.

Mr Callison appeared before magistrates at Peterlee the day after his arrest and the case was sent to Durham Crown Court, where a preliminary hearing took place today (Friday, April 10).

During a short appearance, via video link to the court from nearby Durham Prison, 31-year-old Mr Callison was asked to put in pleas to three charges.

He denied counts of possessing heroin and diazepam with intent to supply, plus simple possession of cannabis.

Jane Foley, representing the defendant, told the court: “He admits ownership, but denies intending to supply them, and says the drugs were for his own use.”

The charges were each also denied by 71-year-old Wilhelmina Callison, also of Pemberton Avenue, who appeared in the court having been on bail since her arrest in the wake of the police raid.

Asked by Judge Christopher Prince about her situation, Miss Foley told the court: “This has nothing at all to do with Wilhelmina Callison.”

A timetable was set for future proceedings, with a trial date agreed, to be heard at Teesside Crown Court, starting on September 21.

Mr Callison was remanded in custody and Mrs Callison will remain on bail until a case management hearing in the case, on June 19.