Heroin and cocaine found hidden in teapot at dealer's home

A 'county lines' drug dealer has walked free from court after police found heroin and cocaine hidden in a teapot.

Police found Evan Jones with 29 wraps of cocaine and heroin with a street value of £580, two mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia when they searched a house in Castle Terrace, Bridgnorth.

Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said the 47-year-old had admitted he had been dealing in the previous five weeks and was getting the drugs from a West Midlands operation.

"A search warrant was carried out for drugs on February 21 and he initially said there weren't any drugs there, but drugs were found in a teapot," Mr Soulsby told Shrewsbury Crown Court, where Jones appeared via video link yesterday.

"Two phones were seized with messaging relating to drug dealing.

"He said he would sell between £450 and £500 worth of drugs every day.

"He sold the drugs for someone in the West Midlands known as Mitch - he's a county lines dealer."

Mr Brendan Reedy, on behalf of Jones, said: "He was very much at the bottom of the ladder, clearly acting under the instruction of those above him in the chain.

"The police said he was a vulnerable person who had recently been knocked around by those above him.

"He appeared to be taking very little profit from the operation."

Jones had earlier pleaded guilty to two charges of possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug.

Judge Jonathan Gosling said Jones was used by dealers higher up the operation who were taking the profit, explaining: "It's an easy way for those higher up the chain to sell drugs in county towns.

"There are really positive signs that if you are given an opportunity to rehabilitate there would be success."

Jones was given 20 months in prison suspended for two years, a 12-month rehabilitation order and 40 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Gosling added: "I want you to understand you will only get this chance once."