A PAIR of Swindon drug dealers have received lengthy jail terms after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of cocaine.

Michael Hambidge and James Bradley planned to peddle the drug across the town after being caught preparing it for supply.

And, after Bradley, 22, pleaded guilty and gave evidence against Hambidge, 25, Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced him to three years in prison, half that of his co-defendant.

Earlier the judge, sitting at Swindon Crown Court heard Bradley was bagging up the 250 grams of cocaine when he was arrested on Friday, February 20 this year.

He was told that while the drug only had a six per cent purity it had a street value of about £12,500.

Father-of-one Hambidge, of Ripon Way, Park South, denied a charge of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

During a trial before a jury, after which he was convicted, Bradley gave evidence against him, saying they were in the enterprise together.

Following his conviction the judge imposed a six-year jail term before sentencing the younger man yesterday.

Bradley, of Galsworthy Close, Liden, had already admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

He also admitted having a small quantity of ecstasy in his pocket for his own use at the time of his arrest.

Mike Jeary, for Bradley, said his client did not wish to put off the date of sentence for any further reports.

Judge Tabor said: “You were caught absolutely red handed whilst you were bagging up 250 grams of cocaine between you and Mr Hambidge.

“You were to tell the police immediately you were a drug dealer and had been a drug dealer for a year.

“Persons who deal in cocaine in that quantity can expect lengthy periods in prison.”

He said Bradley got a third off for pleading guilty and a reduction of a further year for giving evidence for the prosecution against Hambidge.

The judge said he felt his testimony was not the crucial evidence against his partner in crime but added he hoped they would be in different prisons.