A DRUG dealer who was caught at home with 25 wraps of heroin was jailed for 18 months yesterday.

Richard Curry, 24, tried to hide them in his trousers when Cleveland Police entered his house in Redcar, Teesside, with a search warrant.

More heroin powder was found on the cover of a magazine in his bedroom, said Patricia Mancina, prosecuting.

After the raid in April, he became drug-free and worked in London as a painter and decorator for a housing association, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Robin Turton, in mitigation, said Curry had demonstrated his ability to put something back into society, and he urged the judge to let him stay free.

But Judge Les Spittle told Curry: "Class A drugs and heroin are a scourge in our society and I am afraid the element of deterrent plays a more important part.

"It must be an immediate custodial sentence."

Curry of Easby Close, Redcar, was jailed for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply on April 4 and also to a charge of possession of cannabis.