A YORK drug dealer caught with 18g of heroin has kept his liberty - on condition he kicks his habit.

Police stopped Wayne Maltby, 33, at the wheel of a car on July 18, said Khadim Al'hassan, prosecuting at York Crown Court.

He was clutching a package containing 3g of heroin and when they searched him later at Fulford Road Police Station, detectives found 15g more of the drug, two mobile phones and what they believed to be a list of drug debtors.

Maltby, of Lawrence Street, York, pleaded guilty to possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Recorder Anthony Hawks said that people who committed similar offences received long prison sentences. But after reading reports about Maltby, he did not send him to jail.

Instead, he gave him a 12-month drug testing and treatment order, saying that Maltby's own drug habit had ruined his life and was the cause of his law-breaking. He warned the drug dealer that if he broke the order he would go to jail. The judge ordered that £71 cash found on Maltby when he was arrested should go to paying prosecution costs.

Taryn Turner, representing Maltby, said he was already taking steps to kick drugs.

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, May 07, 2003