A MAN has been jailed for dealing drugs from his York home and his girlfriend has been given a community order.

Benjamin Roach, 28, of Constantine Avenue, Tang Hall, was imprisoned by a York Crown Court judge for 15 months, and also given another 20 weeks from a suspended jail sentence imposed for other offences last year.

Laura Wright, 22 , of the same address, was given an 18-month community order, including a requirement she attends 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said Roach had cleared a £1,500 debt through dealing, and said: “This is not small-scale. This is significant street dealing for significant financial gain.”

He ruled out a community order for Roach because he had a “woeful” record in complying with such orders.

The court heard he had previous convictions for offences including robbery, attempted burglary, aggravated vehicle taking, dishonesty and assault.

Robert Galley, prosecuting, said police found amphetamines wrapped in tin foil in Roach’s freezer, digital scales, zipper bags and £350 in cash on him.

York Press:

Officers also found a mobile phone with many text messages sent and received which indicated he was involved in dealing, including “adverts” texted out to 19 people.

Mark Williams said in mitigation that Roach deserved credit for a guilty plea at a relatively early stage, and his dealing was not on a commercial scale or for substantial financial gain.

Roach, who appeared by video link from jail, had admitted possession of a controlled drug, namely amphetamines, with intent, and offering to supply amphetamines and cannabis.

As he was sent down, he told Wright he loved her and she said the same to him.

Wright admitted offering to supply a controlled drug. A probation officer told the court she had used cannabis to help her sleep and had a history of drug use, and had mental health issues - drug-induced psychosis.

She had a part-time job as a cleaner and there would be concerns about her mental health if she was given a custodial sentence.

Mark Partridge said in mitigation that she had entered a guilty plea very early, and was only 22 and involved with a more sophisticated older man.

The judge told her: “Because of your relationship you got sucked into it.”