A MAN found in possession of heroin and crack cocaine in Skipton two years ago has appeared before magistrates.

Darren Sherwood, 43, had nine packages of crack cocaine and 14 of heroin when he was searched by police on June 13, 2019, the Skipton court heard on Friday.

The court was told police in an unmarked vehicle started following Sherwood after they saw him walking along Keighley Road and repeatedly changing direction.

After a while, Sherwood approached the officers at which point they identified themselves, the court was told.

Sherwood was searched and the drugs were found. The nine packages of crack cocaine together weighed 918mg, while the heroin weighed 2.05gm. At the time he insisted the drugs were for his own use.

The court heard police seized his phone to look at his text messages and call logs, but there was nothing to suggest he had been involved in dealing the drugs.

Sherwood, who admitted two counts of the possession of a class A drug, had bought the drugs for his own use in a ‘job lot’ to receive a discount. Buying in bulk also carried less risk of having to go back for more, the court was told in mitigation.

Mitigating, Keith Blackwell, said Sherwood, of Sandywood Street, Keighley, was now taking methadone and was no longer using illicit drugs.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a surcharge of £30.