A MAN caught with £4,000 of amphetamine walked free from court yesterday.

Mark Townsley, 30, ran from his home in Aldbrough Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, as police forced their way in and was seen throwing a package into a nearby garden.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Townsley pleaded guilty to possession of a class B drug with intent and was sentenced to a 12-month community rehabilitation order.