A DRUG dealer drove to a police station and told officers he feared he was going to be shot.

But when a search was made of Gareth Farthing’s car, parked outside Consett Police Station, a large amount of drugs, plus a pepper spray and knuckle-duster were recovered.

Durham Crown Court heard that more drugs, plus what was described as “paraphernalia” of drug dealing, were seized in further searches at Farthing’s address in the town and the home of another family member.

Farthing was bailed pending more inquiries after his appearance at the police station, on April 25, last year, but further drug recoveries were made when his car was stopped and searched by officers in an unmarked vehicle, on September 12.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said examination of Farthing’s phone confirmed many drug-related calls and messages, apparently from “customers”.

Miss Waugh said on one of the messages Farthing stated that he no longer took drugs, but, “just sold them”.

Police also seized £200 in the raid, although Farthing claimed it belonged to his mother.

Miss Waugh said he made “qualified admissions” when interviewed, and, appearing at a plea hearing at the court, in January, 29-year-old Farthing, of Roseberry Terrace, Consett, admitted five charges of possessing drugs with intent to supply, plus two counts of possessing an offensive or prohibited weapon.

He also admitted simple possession of cannabis resin, for his own use, at the start of today’s (Friday April 15) sentencing hearing.

Miss Waugh said the pleas were on the basis that he accepted he was supplying some cocaine and amphetamines, but it was mainly cannabis bush, while the small amounts of cannabis resin were for his own consumption.

The court heard he has one previous conviction for possessing ecstasy.

Graeme Cook, mitigating, said the vast majority of the calls and messages received on Farthing’s phone related to requests for cannabis.

Mr Cook described Farthing as a “hard working family man”, who set up his own gardening business, initially with two employees, but with plans to take on a third.

He said Farthing became a heavy drug user, predominantly amphetamines, after a road tragedy involving a former girlfriend.

But, Mr Cook said since he was admitted to custody, following his ‘guilty’ pleas in January, Farthing has given negative test results for drugs, despite the availability of some illicit substances behind bars.

Jailing him for a total of three years and six months, Judge Christopher Prince said Farthing appeared to have played, “a significant role” in street dealing of drugs.

He added that the possession of the pepper spray and knuckle-duster appeared to show they were there in case the defendant was in fear of attack, as he may have been on the day of his initial appearance at the police station.