A MAN was found with £3,000 of crack cocaine and heroin in his socks a day after he had been arrested and bailed by police on similar drugs offences.

Father-of-two Robert Manning, 39, was a drugs runner in Hartlepool, who had become indebted to his dealer, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Yesterday, he was jailed for five years after admitting possessing heroin with intent to supply on February 16, and possessing heroin and crack cocaine, also with intent to supply, on the following day.

Police who stopped his Mondeo car on February 16 found three packages of heroin valued between £3,500 and £4,200.

A further search found £1,140 in cash said to be from the proceeds of drugs sales.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, told the court Manning had probably been trying to get rid of drugs on the second occasion he was stopped.

Graeme Gaston, for Manning, of Raby Road, Hartlepool, said he was indebted to a dealer and was making deliveries to protect his family.

Judge Les Spittle said it was clear Gaston had been involved in the trafficking of a substantial quantity of drugs, and a jail sentence would act as a deterrent to others.