A DRUG dealer caught in a chance visit by police who found heroin down the side of a settee has been jailed for five-and-a-half years at Worcester Crown Court.

Officers had visited Simon Wheeler in Wasdale Court, Warndon, to discuss stolen cars, said Michael Aspinall, prosecuting.

But he was seen fiddling with a cover on the arm of the sofa. Investigation revealed a pouch with a finger guard and three wraps of heroin. Cannabis resin and drug dealing equipment was also found on the premises.

Wheeler, aged 31, formerly of Cranham Drive, Warndon, was convicted after a five-day trial in January of possession of heroin with intent to supply, and possession of cannabis.

The heroin had a street value of £1,700 and the cannabis was worth £60, said Mr Aspinall. Wheeler had only moved to the house in Wasdale Court 24 hours earlier and had not had time to fit up CCTV cameras which were found by police.

Mr Aspinall said the cameras were part of the drug dealing accoutrement so that the occupants of the house could see who was calling at the door.

Drugs

Wheeler denied having anything to do with drugs or knowing anything about the sofa.

He was said to have been in trouble with police since the age of 15. His record included 35 convictions for 91 offences, mainly driving while disqualified, dishonesty and assault. His only previous drug conviction was in 1999 when he was fined for having cannabis.

Michael Conry, defending, said it had been a chance discovery by police and there was no evidence of high living. Sometimes Wheeler earned £500 a week through car dealing.

There was no suggestion that Wheeler had been street dealing. The offence happened two years ago and Wheeler had contacted the community drug team in a bid to break his habit.

He had also been under stress because he had been attacked in prison during a previous sentence and now had a livid scar on his face.

Judge David Matthews said Wheeler was obviously a commercial dealer who used the profit to fund his own habit.

He added: "You will have been aware of the abuse of heroin and the utter misery caused to those who become addicted to this drug. Lives are wrecked by it. You knew only too well the likely consequences if your role as a dealer was discovered."