POLICE found more than £11,000 worth of amphetamine when they raided two houses, a court heard.

Michael Hall was said to be "minding" some of the drugs for a friend and keeping the rest to give his addict partner Janet Barrie.

Teesside Crown Court was told that Hall hid the amphetamine from Miss Barrie, but gave her "bare minimum" rations whenever she needed it.

Some of the drugs were found at the couple's home in Middlesbrough and the rest was stashed at a friend's house.

Prosecutor Andrea Pitt said police raided Hall's home in Basildon Green on April 5 and asked if there were any drugs on the premises.

"Mr Hall was quite frank with them, said he had some whiz and took them to the kitchen and showed them a package on the window ledge," said Miss Pitt.

Two separate bags containing a total of 973 grams were found, but Hall claimed the biggest amount - 752g - was being stored for a friend who had nagged him to look after it.

Another pal who was at Hall's house at the time of the raid also had his home searched and a bag containing 144g of powder was discovered in a bedroom.

Hall, 45, told police he stashed drugs at his friend's home nearby so he could keep them from his partner and monitor her use.

Simon Reevell, mitigating, said: "Although he acted contrary to the law, Mr Hall dealt with the problem he faced in a way in which the courts can at least understand although, I concede, not endorse."

Hall admitted two counts of possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply and was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

Judge Peter Armstrong also ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.