A DRUG dealer who confessed to his crime was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday.

Karl Dales told police he had been selling heroin to friends for two months on behalf of his supplier.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Dales, 24, had stopped dealing months before officers raided his home.

They found silver foil and a syringe, but the evidence against him came from his admission, said John Gillette, prosecuting.

"He said that he was selling to four or five people a day, and he was paid about £20, which went towards funding his own heroin addiction," said Mr Gillette.

Dales, of Limes Crescent, Marske, had not dealt in heroin for five months, said Mr Gillette.

Dan Cordey, in mitigation, said that Dales told a probation officer: "At the end of the day, I want to get off the gear, and being in custody is the only time I am going to do that."

Recorder Simon Bourne-Arton QC told Dales: "You know that a custodial sentence is inevitable in your case.

"A small retailer of heroin to friends and family can normally expect a sentence of up to five years. Had it not been for your admissions to the police there would have been no case against you, and to that extent I give you credit."

Dales pleaded guilty to supplying a Class A drug between March and May 2003.