A MAN who was carrying so much cannabis it would last for 18 months and make 5,000 joints, claimed he had the drug for personal use, a court heard yesterday.

Andrew Wilson, 29, of Venables Road, Guisborough, admitted possession of a class B drug with intent to supply, at Teesside Crown Court. He also admitted a charge of driving with no insurance.

David Brooke, prosecuting, said Wilson was stopped by police while driving in Wilton Lane, Guisborough on January 9 this year. Officers thought he "seemed anxious" and when they searched him they found a nine-ounce bar of cannabis in his trousers.

Mr Brooke said Wilson claimed to smoke eight joints a day, and he said, by that calculation there was enough of the drug for an 18-month supply and to make 5,000 "reefers". It would be worth £1,000 on the street, he said.

Wilson later admitted, he said, being a courier for a drug dealer and as he had a heroin problem, being rewarded for his work with a small amount of heroin. Dan Cordey, for Wilson, said his client had a limited involvement and was now trying to beat his heroin addiction. He said Wilson had been on a methadone programme for a month.

Judge Esmond Faulks said he was impressed Wilson was trying to beat his addiction. He placed him on a 12-month community rehabilitation programme and ordered him to carry out a 100-hour community punishment order. He also endorsed his driving licence with six penalty points