A crack cocaine dealer has admitted selling the Class A drug when he appeared in Crown Court.
Michael Marsh pleaded guilty to the offence but submitted that he was selling the drug to feed his own habit.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the Crown Prosecution Service will consider a written submission outlining the 43-year-old’s basis of plea.
Shaun Dryden, representing Marsh, said: “You will have seen his record; he has a longstanding drug problem, and he gave an explanation as to why he was selling those drugs.
“He had a drug debt, and he was being forced to sell drugs to reduce that debt.”
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Marsh, of Bruce Avenue, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class A drug – crack cocaine – following his arrest on November 7.
Judge Peter Armstrong ordered a pre-sentence report by carried out for the defendant ahead of any sentencing exercise.
He said: “The purpose of adjourning sentence is for a full pre-sentence report. The basis of your plea should be submitted in writing so that the prosecution can consider it.”
Marsh was remanded in custody until his sentencing on February 2.
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