A DRUG dealer caught with crack cocaine and 'calling card' for customers has been jailed for more than three years.

Aaron Bradshaw was picked up twice in a matter of days while selling drugs in a notorious part of Stockton.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 24-year-old was caught with 14 rocks of crack cocaine on the first occasion on March 29 and with ten rocks the next time he was arrested on April 4.

Uzma Khan, prosecuting, said: "Police located in his tracksuit pocket, a small container and within that container were 14 wraps of crack cocaine. They also located a small 'calling card' referencing fives, tens and twenties, call any time with a mobile number."

When police searched the house where he told officers where he was staying, they found cannabis, a knuckleduster, a machete, scales and cash – items he said did not belong to him.

Bradshaw, of Londonderry Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

In mitigation, Anthony Pettengell said this was his client's first drugs offence and said it would he first taste of a lengthy custodial sentence.

Judge Stephen Ashurst sentenced the defendant to three years and four months in custody.

He said: "This was street dealing, you were playing a significant role, you were in it for the money."