A PENRITH man has been cleared of possessing the class A drug heroin with intent to supply.

Michael John Torrance, 35, who strenuously denied the charge, was charged after almost an ounce of the drug was found by police in a drawer at his bedsit in January, 2018.

During his Carlisle Crown Court trial, Torrance insisted the heroin was purely for his own use.

He said he had earlier bought an ounce of heroin for £650.

Asked whether he had any intention of passing on or selling the heroin to anyone else, Torrance replied: “None whatsoever.”

Torrance added: “I have not supplied anybody.”

He also said that around £2,000 cash he was carrying when police arrested him in Carlisle city centre was part of a wages lump sum from two separate spells of labouring work in Spain during 2017 while he was trying to kick a heroin addiction.

After hearing evidence, the jury found Torrance, of Norfolk Road, Penrith, not guilty, unanimously.

He was sentenced, however, sentenced for simple cannabis possession. A small quantity of the class B drug was found by police during the bedsit search.

Recorder Eric Lamb imposed a £140 on Torrance and a £30 victim surcharge.