A DRUG dealer caught peddling heroin and crack on the streets of Swindon has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Marvin Nevins was facing a mandatory seven-year sentence as he has two previous convictions for similar matters.

But after a reading letters from the 28-year-old’s family which praised him, a judge sitting at Swindon Crown Court, decided such a jail term was unjust.

Nevins was spotted in Greenbridge on Thursday, January 19, by an eagle eyed police officer who remembered his face from 2010, when he was last caught dealing.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said: “This is a very straight forward case. The defendant was stopped by two drugs squad officers in Crampton Road.

“It was about a quarter to 12. They recognised him, they knew he was a London based drug dealer.”

He said after a short chase he was detained and told the officers ‘It’s in my pocket’.

They found 11 wraps of cocaine and 13 of heroin, each worth about £10, and a mobile phone which he admitted he had been using to sell to users.

Nevins, of north London, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing drugs with intent to supply.

The court heard that he was put on a suspended sentence at Exeter Crown Court in 2009 for drug dealing in Tiverton, Devon.

A year later he was put on a community order in Swindon in 2011 after being caught drug dealing in the Walcot area while being based at the Regent Hotel.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client accepted he won't be lucky enough to stay out of prison again.

He said that he had done well after a judge took a chance with him six years ago but in recent times he had lost his job and his uncle died and he started using crack again.

As a result of all his troubles he returned to what he knew and started selling drugs again to fund his own use.

He said when he was arrested he was open with the police about what he was doing and he handed in a bundle of references from people speaking well of him.

While he knew he was facing jail he asked the judge not to impose a mandatory minimum of seven years, with 20 per cent off for pleading guilty,

“I am saying it would be unjust because he is someone who made a considerable effort having been given a chance: yes he slipped up,” he said.

Passing sentence Judge Robert Pawson said: “Much has been made about how candid you were with the police but you had little choice: you were caught red handed."

He said that he was cutting the sentence he was meant to imposed from five years and seven months to four years and six months.

"It is on the basis of the letters that have been written on your behalf by people whose lives you have made, I suspect, very, very, difficult indeed," he said.

"People who really love and care for you. You have really put them through the mill. You owe them a great deal Mr Nevins.

"If you are back in front of the court for offences like this again, I see you shaking your head, it won't be four-and-a-half years.

"I can't see circumstances again where a judge won't be starting at seven years, which is a long time."

PC George Booth, of the Dedicated Crime Team in Swindon, said: “Nevins had two previous convictions from 2008 and 2010 – these were also for heroin and crack cocaine supply.

“I am pleased with the custodial sentence handed out to him – it reflects the seriousness of drug supply which is often seen as a victimless crime. However, this could not be further from the truth.

“I hope this sends a clear message out to anyone involved in drug supply – we will carry out extensive enquiries to locate you and put you before the courts.

“I’d encourage members of the public to report drug activity in their area via 101.”