A DURRINGTON man has been jailed after making a "catastrophically stupid" decision to sell drugs to pay his rent after losing his job.

Kieron Cavanagh, of Elizabeth Road, appeared for sentencing at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday (October 30) after admitting possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

On the evening of November 7 last year police stopped a vehicle after noticing the lights were not working.

The vehicle was being driven by the defendant who the officer believed was involved in the supply of cocaine.

Salisbury Journal:

A phone was located on the central console and prosecutor Anthony Waller said the "message was clearly in relation to the sale of drugs".

A sum of £450 in cash was found in the 27-year-old's wallet. As a result of this and the phone message found he was arrested.

The court heard a search was carried out at the defendant's home - 15 wraps with a total value of £1,000 were found.

Mr Waller said the defendant was doing it as an "alternative source of income" after losing his employment.

Richard Wayman, defending Cavanagh, said he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had fully cooperated with the police and made full admissions when interviewed.

He added: "It was a catastrophically stupid decision to replace his income the way he did and then being caught."

Mr Wayman said it was also "very out of character" for the defendant who accepts he was doing it to pay his rent and bills. He also said Cavanagh was in employment again.

Mr Wayman said that for a man of good character" and the circumstances in this case it should be seen as a "lesser role".

Judge Andrew Barnett said that he got "caught up in the drugs web" but added he "must pay the penalty".

Judge Barnett said: "You must realise people that get involved in the distribution of class A substances cause untold misery on those that take them and end up ruining lives, very often destroying lives. Those that peddle those drugs must pay the price."

He jailed the defendant for two years and four months.