WORD soon got round when a drug user let it be known he had also turned supplier, early this year, a court heard.

Not only did fellow users get wind of Wilkinson’s dealing, but police also became aware and paid a visit to his home in the early hours of February 8.

Durham Crown Court heard that evidence of drug dealing soon became obvious to officers on checking a bedroom, as they discovered 19 plastic bags containing white powder in a tin, while a cling film wrap recovered from a bedroom drawer was found to contain amphetamines.

Other wraps were found elsewhere in the house and, in total, they contained 170 grams of amphetamines.

Jonathan Harley, prosecuting, said the white powder, weighing a total 33g, was later confirmed to be cocaine.

Collectively the drugs were capable of raising an estimated £1,800 if sold at street level.

A set of portable scales were also recovered, while text messages on Wilkinson’s phone were indicative of drug dealing , but only over a short period by the time of the police visit.

Mr Harley said the sums mentioned were mostly in the £20 to £50 range, but there was one reference to £100.

When interviewed, Wilkinson conceded that he intended to supply the cocaine, but claimed the amphetamines were for his own use.

But, the 27-year-old defendant, of Hazel Crescent, Easington, has subsequently admitted possession of both cocaine and amphetamines with intent to supply.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said it was, “very much low-level street dealing”, by someone who had a drug habit, himself.

“Within a short space of time it soon became widely known that he was, ‘up for business’, so much so that within 14 days or so he was subject of a search warrant.”

Jailing him for two years and four months, Judge Christopher Prince said Wilkinson was “clearly motivated” by the financial advantage of dealing.