A COURIER jailed after being caught carrying a large consignment of cocaine in a car has now also forfeited cash and an expensive watch he was wearing.

It follows a Proceeds of Crime Act order made by a judge at Durham Crown Court yesterday (Thursday February 26).

Wayne Bruce was jailed for 40 months at the court last year after previously admitting possessing a class A drug with intent to supply.

He was pulled over by police at the Red Lion, on the A167 at Plawsworth, near Chester-le-Street, on September 17, 2013.

Almost two kilograms of cocaine were recovered by police from the back seat of the car.

Bruce, 33, of Cedarwood Grove, Tunstall, Sunderland, was recently released from prison on licence.

But he was back at court for yesterday's confiscation hearing, alongside co-accused, 36-year-old Alexander Anthony Dobbing, who was jailed for eight years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said there remain issues over what can be seized from Dobbing, as potential crime proceeds, due to issues over the available equity in his house, in Burdon Walk, Castle Eden, near Peterlee.

It was accepted that the benefit from his activities amounted to £199,300, but the amount available for confiscation was £5,770.

That is made up from £470 recovered from him when he was pulled over and the estimated value of the Rolex watch he was wearing.

Judge Simon Hickey agreed to the confiscation. Dobbing's case was adjourned until April 23.