A DRUGS dealer was arrested by undercover police who saw a cocaine deal taking place on a garage forecourt.

Alex Hand, 29, was seen getting out of a Volkswagen Golf car and into the back of a BMW that had pulled up behind him at a petrol station in Cambridge Road, Middlesbrough.

Mike Bosomworth, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that an exchange took place and that when Hand returned to his car, officers moved in.

Hand produced a clear plastic bag from a pocket containing 7.1g of cocaine, which he said was for his use.

He was searched and £1,200 was found on him.

Police went to his house in Roundway, Marton, Middlesbrough and found 18.8g of cocaine.

Hand, of Wharfedale Close, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply on September 24.

The court heard that prior to the offence, he had acted as a drugs courier and was released on licence half-way through a four-year jail sentence for possession of a kilogram of cocaine with intent to supply.

Jamie Hill, for Hand, said that on his release, he had sought help for his addiction, but began taking cocaine again as he was in a vulnerable state of mind due to family difficulties.

Judge Peter Armstrong jailed Hand for a total of three years and seven months, which included a total of 13 months left over from his previous sentence.