Dealer caught out by off-duty officer (From Swindon Advertiser)

Dealer caught out by off-duty officer

9:40am Friday 15th February 2013 in News

A DRUG dealer was caught after an off-duty policeman was suspicious about a man carrying a television set through the town centre.

When Jamal Hume was arrested for suspected burglary he quickly swallowed some wraps of heroin and crack cocaine.

But officers found more drugs on the 21-year-old and his phone contained messages referring to the trade in drugs.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court the off duty officer arrived at work later in the day to learn of a burglary near where he had been earlier.

He and colleagues then went to an address in Trowbridge last year where they arrested Hume on suspicion of burglary and handling stolen goods.

After he was taken to the police station officers noticed a paraphernalia associated with drug dealing such a a glass chopping board, scales, a blade and cling film. They found a further 12 wraps of crack and three of heroin.

He also admitted he had swallowed six further deals when he realised the police were at the door and was found with £549.95 on him and in the flat.

Hume, of High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

Alex Daymond, defending, said although his client accepted he was a street level dealer he was only doing it to fund his own habit.

He said a couple of weeks after his arrest, Hume had got clean of drugs.

Mr Daymond said his client hoped to train to be a physical education instructor and urged the court to impose a suspended sentence.

He was jailed for two-and-a-half-years and was found to have benefited from crime to the tune of £5,160.

He was told he must sign over £549.95 in a month or face a further 28 days on his sentence.