Two Worcester drug pushers have been jailed for almost four years.
John Steade and Jason Grosvenor-Davies were convicted by a jury two months ago of possessing heroin with intent to supply and were yesterday sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment.
Judge Michael Mott accepted they were not commercial suppliers but said: "A lot of drugs are circulating as a result of people pushing them like you."
He said Steade had been caught before as his record showed, although it was clear that his accomplice, with no previous convictions, had also been involved in drugs for years.
Steade, aged 28, of Penhill Crescent, St John's, and 29-year-old Grosvenor-Davies, of Lowesmoor, were arrested by police at a flat in Mayfield Road, Worcester, on Thursday, January 17, last year.
Grosvenor-Davies admitted possession of heroin before the trial began. Steade denied a similar charge but was convicted by the jury.
Brett Stevenson, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court, said the drug stash was bought in Birmingham and the pair worked together to store and sell it.
A bundle of drugs was thrown from the window of the flat as drug squad detectives pounced. They seized 14 grammes of heroin.
Naomi Gilchrist, for Steade, insisted they were not professional dealers and were only supporting their own heroin habits.
Steade had a 10-year addiction but had struggled to kick it, which included booking himself into a clinic.
Adam Western, for Grosvenor-Davies, said it was a tragedy that a young man with so much potential should now be facing a lengthy jail term for drugs.
He was determined to beat the habit while in custody and change his life on being released.
Prosecutor Nigel Stelling said the pair had made no profits from drug dealing. Police seized £50 from each of them at the time of their arrest.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article