A DRUG dealer has been jailed for 21 months after he was caught with hundreds of ecstasy tablets.

Christopher French, 46, was also found to have a cocktail of amphetamines and cannabis at home which he used to self-medicate his depression.

Lynne Matthews, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court police stopped him as he rode his Kawasaki motorbike in Marlowe Avenue shortly before 6pm on July 7.

"They found five plastic bags containing 245 ecstasy tablets and a roll of plastic bags.

"He was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply. They also recovered £404.01 in cash from his wallet."

Officers then searched his home and found a further 63 ecstasy tablets along with two lots of amphetamines, some cannabis and another £400 in cash.

She said the drugs had an estimated street value of £1,610 but he claimed he bought them in bulk for about £645.

When he was questioned he claimed all of the drugs were for his own use but after it was put to him that text messages on his mobile phone suggested he had been dealing he admitted possessing ecstasy with intent to supply.

Miss Matthews told the court that French had a number of previous convictions, including possessing amphetamines in 1991.

French, of Upavon Court, Penhill, pictured, admitted possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of cannabis and amphetamines.

Rob Ross, defending, said that his client had put himself into custody in November because the stress leading up to his court appearance was becoming overbearing.

"He decided to go to custody so what he did was take off his tag which immediately put him in a custodial environment. That's been a god send to him," he said.

Before going into custody he said his client was suffering from depression and started using drugs to make him feel better.

"He had been self-medicating with drugs for some time in an attempt to lighten his mood," he said.

"The result is that not only does the person need to take more and more to get a lift but it results in a trough of depression which is worse and worse. It is that cycle that led to the offences."

Passing sentence Judge Charles Wade said: "The court considers offences of possessing drugs with intent to supply, class A drugs, very seriously indeed.

"You understand, because of your own experiences, the problems people have getting involved in drugs."

As well as jailing him he also ordered the forfeiture of the £804.01 seized by police.