A DRUG addict has been jailed after he was caught dealing heroin.

Gareth Robins, 38, of Wall House Road, Ross-on-Wye, was stopped by police in a car and found to have 22 wraps of heroin for street dealing, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Messages related to dealing were found on his phone, Timothy Harrington, prosecuting, told the court.

Robins had a a long record of offences of dishonesty that were caused by his addiction to drugs and had been in custody before, he said.

Giles Nelson, defending, said Robins had fallen back into drug use during a stressful time but could not afford to buy any so he had turned to selling.

He said Robins, who has a young son, had many "decent" qualities and there would be a significant impact on his family if he went into prison.

He said Robins was now on medication and was seeing a drugs worker.

Robins pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply.

Recorder Nicholas Jones said Robins had an addiction to heroin which led him to steal but had now "graduated upwards" into selling street deals.

He was jailed for 32 months.