Hendon man caught with cocaine and claw hammer in his pockets by police claimed he had no idea where they came from

A Hendon man who was caught carrying cocaine and a claw hammer in his pockets by police during a search in the street claimed he had no idea where they came from.

Andrew Forster, 47, of Darcy Court, Hendon, claimed total ignorance of the items when he was searched by police in a nearby back alley this July.

Mrs O’Hegarty told magistrates in South Tyneside: “An officer arrived on the scene and was shown an image of an offender.

“She conducted an area search and went to the rear lane of Hendon Burn Avenue West.

“She searched the defendant and in his left pocket was a claw hammer. He was arrested for the offence.

“Whilst in custody being searched, an officer located two foils of drugs in a tobacco pouch. They were tested and found to be cocaine.

“There is an application for the forfeiture and destruction of the weapon and the drugs.”

Despite his initial denials, Forster pleaded guilty to charges of possession of an offensive weapon and possession of controlled class A drug cocaine.

Magistrates adjourned the case for reports and granted Forster unconditional bail to be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, October 8.