A REFORMED drug user’s lapse back into his former habit was partly funded by supplying like-minded friends, a court heard.

But, Nicholas Hogg’s small street-dealing operation has now landed him behind bars for his first custodial sentence, at the age of 43.

Durham Crown Court heard that police armed with a search warrant visited his home in Middle Street, Blackhall Colliery, on September 30, last year.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said quantities of amphetamine were found in a false cupboard ceiling and in a fridge freezer.

Police also seized £163 as likely proceeds of drug sales, from one of Hogg’s trouser pockets, while a set of scales and a number of snap bags were recovered from a bedroom at the property

Mr Towers said the total weight of all the drugs removed was 465 grams, which an experienced drug officer estimated could be worth £4,660 in street valuation.

“He made a frank confession, admitting having bought a kilogram of amphetamine for £2,000.”

Mr Towers said phone messages on a closed user group were indicative of drug dealing, but to a small number of friends and “trusted people”.

Hogg admitted possessing amphetamine with intent to supply.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for supplying a small amount of heroin, dating from 2006, plus possession of amphetamines from 2015.

Neil Bennett, mitigating, said Hogg had come off drugs for a number of years, before taking up amphetamine use in 2015, in part as a remedy for back pain.

Mr Bennett said the defendant took the decision to supply to a small number of people to help pay for his use of the drug.

Jailing him for a year, Judge Christopher Prince said he did not need him to tell Hogg the “misery” drugs can bring to users, because of the activities of those who supply the substances to make a gain for themselves.