A DRUG dealer who is ‘in poor health’ has admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Worcestershire.

Ivan Holland appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between November 1, 2017 and November 23, 2018.

The 58-year-old further admitted encouraging or assisting the commission of one or more offences on November 22, 2018 by taking his co-defendant in his vehicle to enable him to supply class A drugs.

He denied possession with intent to supply both drugs at a hearing on November 29, 2018 the court heard after there was some discussion about whether he had been arraigned.

Earl Pinnock, prosecuting, said he understood the essence of Holland’s basis of plea was that he was supplying the drugs to a narrow base of people. Mr Pinnock said Holland’s role in the enterprise was accepted and that Crown did not wish to contest the basis. Holland’s co-defendant is awaiting sentence on his role. "It's a matter of both defendants being given a date for sentence," said the prosecutor.

Giles Nelson, defending, said Holland was ‘in poor health and sole carer for his 17-year-old son’.

He asked for the case to be adjourned so a pre-sentence report could be prepared by the probation service. No court probation officer was present at the short hearing in court three.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright presided at the hearing and agreed to adjourn the case.

The case was adjourned until Friday, March 5. Holland of Caxton Drive, Somerset was bailed as before but with an added condition - to co-operate with the probation service in the preparation of a pre-sentence report.