A dealer who set up his kitchen as a "shop" to sell heroin was jailed yesterday.

Norman Robinson, 48, was out on licence from a nine-year prison sentence when he started dishing out the deadly drug from his home at Fuller Road, Sunderland.

When police raided his home on February 9 they found £978 in cash hidden in his kettle and more notes stashed in wine glasses.

A Kinder egg hidden in the kitchen cupboard contained 17 wraps of heroin.

Ailsa Mcdonald, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "Police described the kitchen as being set up like a shop."

Defence barrister Bob Spragg said Robinson had been vulnerable when he finished his jail sentence, for a crime not related to drugs, in March last year.

Mr Spragg said: "He was easy prey for drug dealers who needed to shift their drugs. He was approached by a local drug dealer and he accepts he agred to supply for him.

"The drug dealer would direct people to the house, stupidly he used his own premises for that dealing to take place."

Mr Spragg said Robinson accepted he had been dealing for two weeks and had made a profit of £80.

After serving six years of the nine year sentence imposed in 1998 Robinson was liable to serve two years and 65 days outstanding from that sentence if he committed any further offences.

Mr Recorder Hickey told him: "You knew when you got out of that sentence of imprisonment exactly what was hanging over you.

"You knew there was a period of imprisonment waiting and you had a choice - you chose to deal in class A drugs."

The judge sentenced Robinson to 18 months after he admitted possessing class A drugs with intent to supply which is to be served after the remaining two years and 65 days outstanding from the previous sentence.