'Black sheep' drug dealer jailed

A 25-year-old man from Bedfordshire described by his lawyer as "the black sheep" of his family has been jailed for two years for dealing drugs.

Ecstasy, amphetamines and cannabis were found by police who raided Andrew Murphy's flat in Sun Street, Biggleswade, in April last year.

There were also 80 text messages on his phone relating to the supply of drugs, said prosecutor William McGivern.

He was jailed by a judge at Luton Crown Court as an example to other dealers.

Murphy pleaded guilty to possessing Class A and B drugs with intent to supply, cannabis for his own use and a prohibited weapon.

'Dealers go to prison'

Mr McGivern said the drugs found were worth about £1,400.

Sappho Dias, defending, said when a business her client had set up failed he began abusing drugs, got into debt and turned to dealing to pay the money back.

Since his arrest 15 months ago he has returned to live with his family, turned his back on drugs and got work, the court was told.

"He was the black sheep of the family but he has been taken back in by them," she said.

Judge Jeffrey Burke QC told Murphy: "You admitted to dealing in drugs for eight months making a profit of £200 a day.

"People now speak highly of you, but it has to be known and seen that those people who deal in drugs go to prison."