A 20-YEAR-OLD Dursley drug dealer who made regular runs to Gloucester to collect heroin which he sold in the Stroud area has been jailed.

Michael Hensley of School Road, Dursley, admitted two offences of possessing the class A drug with intent to supply and was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Prosecuting barrister Victoria Heasman said: "The first charge refers to a police search warrant being executed on July 10, 2014, at the defendant's home.

"Wraps of heroin were found along with drugs paraphernalia, including digital scales and mobile phones which showed that he was very much in demand as a dealer.

"The second count is in relation to July 31, when police followed a car which left Stroud at 10.30am on its way to Gloucester.

"When the car was stopped the defendant ran away and tried to discard two wraps of heroin down a drain.

"This was just one of a series of trips the defendant had been observed to make from Stroud to Gloucester on July 21, 23, 24 and 25.

"He was on bail at the time for an offence of simple possession of Class A and Class B drugs in April, 2013.

"This shows a clear indication of street dealing."

Defending barrister Anna Midgley said: "My client has had an unhappy and chaotic lifestyle and has been involved in drugs from a very young age.

"He has had a difficult background but since in custody awaiting sentence for these offences he has shown a genuine determination to change.

"He reduced his methadone prescription and is now very proud of the fact that he says he is completely free of all substances.

"He now has a complete change of attitude."

Recorder Paul Grumbar agreed: "You have decided to change course and I am convinced of this.

"But street dealing in Class A drugs will inevitably attract a custodial sentence and the somewhat aggravating features are that you tried to run away and throw the evidence away.

"You also did not plead guilty until the morning of the trial."

Hensley was jailed for three years.