A DRUG dealer’s delivery driver was watched handing over cocaine to a man outside a nightclub.

Aurel Korreshi was sent postcodes and told where to go by his bosses, Swindon Crown Court heard.

The 34-year-old Albanian national claimed he’d turned to the illegal trade as his planned job had fallen through, he had nowhere to live and he was being forced to pay off significant debts.

Jailing him for three years, Judge Jason Taylor QC said Korreshi had been playing a significant role. “You were delivering drugs to order that’s an operational function because you were driving from place to place, you were looking to make a significant financial advantage to pay off your hefty debts.

“One factor alone in that list would be sufficient to place it into significant [role], You have three.”

He added: “I accept you found yourself in a difficult position. I accept there were elements where you were effectively vulnerable because of the situation you were in. And I recognise that you are assessed at a low risk of reconviction.

“Not withstanding that there are aspects of vulnerability here, this is not a case where you were being exploited and it is notable that you chose not to pursue a National Referral Mechanism under the Modern Slavery [Act].

“The clear fact is you chose to deal to make money. You weren’t a user, this was for profit pure and simple.”

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Aurel Korreshi Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

Prosecutor Susan Cavender said police spotted a man pacing up and down outside a nightclub in Fore Street, Trowbridge, on December 30 last year.

A grey Vauxhall drew up and the man got in before re-emerging from the car around 20 seconds later.

The officers stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by uninsured Korreshi. They found 13g of cocaine, worth between £1,000 and £1,500 on the street, £1,395 in cash and three mobile phones.

Messages on the phones showed Korreshi was being directed to locations by an unnamed dealer.

In a basis of plea, Korreshi claimed a planned job had fallen through and he’d found himself homeless. He had accrued significant debts stemming from family illness and his coming to the UK. He had come under pressure to repay the money owed. He claimed £1,000 of the cash found in the car was from a loan.

Korreshi, formerly of Kensington Place, Bath, but appearing before the court via video link from HMP Bullingdon, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, driving without a licence and insurance and possession of criminal property.

Andrew Stone, mitigating, asked the judge to consider whether his client had been performing a lesser role, noting he was acting as a runner. He had entered his guilty plea at an early stage and had no previous convictions.

The court heard a police officer had gone to the prison to take a statement from Korreshi to determine whether he was a victim of modern slavery, but the defendant refused to speak to the officer.

Judge Taylor ordered that the drugs, cash and paraphernalia should be forfeit.