A HEROIN addict accused of being a dealer has told a court that 23 foil wraps of the drug found in his house were all for him.

Malcolm Davison, 30, denies possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and is facing a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Yesterday, he told a jury that he had spent £100 Christmas money on about three grams of heroin, but all the drugs were for his use.

Ian West, prosecuting, suggested the wraps - found inside a plastic egg on the mantelpiece of Mr Davison's home - were £10 deals he had made up.

Mr West also told the jury of text messages retrieved from Mr Davison's mobile phone, which the Crown claims are drug-related.

Among the messages were: "I will be there in five minutes. Save me two nice ones. Ta" and "Don't forget to give Stu 20 minutes' notice when you want anything. Cheers, Chrissy".

Under cross-examination, Mr Davison said the "two nice ones" could have been sent by a friend who wanted some pigeons.

But Mr West said: "Isn't the truthful answer to my question about that, that he was asking you to save two wraps of heroin?"

Mr Davison, of Carisbrooke Avenue, Middlesbrough, refuted the suggestion and denied being a drug dealer.

The trial continues.