Jailed: Shrewsbury drug dealer is given four years

Graham Sheldon, 37, was arrested by officers who were patrolling The Quarry following concerns over drug dealing near the river.

Sheldon, of no fixed abode, was stopped by police and released, but 10 minutes later he was seen acting suspiciously by the Welsh Bridge where he admitted he was carrying heroin.

Two mobile phones were also found, as well as £131.11. He was taken to the police station where 19 wraps of heroin to the value of £190 were removed from his body.

Sheldon appeared at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court but later that day he was found in possession of 3.2 grammes of crack cocaine. Just two days later he was again found to be in possession of drugs, this time a quantity of crack cocaine and heroin, valued at about £50 in Cherry Orchard, Abbey Foregate. Sheldon initially denied possession of drugs with intent to supply but changed his plea yesterday at Shrewsbury Crown Court where he was jailed.

Mr John Edwards, for Sheldon, described his client's existence as "pitiful" as he had had a drug habit since he was 16.

Mr Edwards said Sheldon had used the habit to escape after being in care.

The court heard how the father-of-five had a "persistent" record of shoplifting.

Judge John Gosling acknowledged that Sheldon would have benefited from treatment but "sadly" his offences were too serious to be dealt with in that way.

"You were stopped by police on November 13 last year with quite a lot of drugs inside you, as well as cash and phones which gave away you were a drug dealer. Messages on your phone showed you were at it but you're in no way a big dealer," said the judge.

Sheldon will serve half of his four-year sentence before being released on licence.