A WHITEHAVEN heroin addict turned dealer caught carrying more than £600 worth of the class A drug told police it was "to see him through the covid lockdown."

Forty-three-year-old David Graham, a former soldier with 30 offences on his criminal record, continued dealing the drug last month despite knowin he was awaiting sentence for an almost identical offence a year earlier, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of Croasdale Avenue, Whitehaven, admitted two counts of possessing heroin with intent to supply. The first of those offences was committed on May 14 last year, and the second in May this year.

On the earlier occasion, he was carrying a bladed article, an offence he also admitted.

When police stopped him on the earlier occasion, in Flatt Walks, Whitehaven, Graham claimed he had the multi-tool device, the blade of which was extended, "for protection."

He claimed he had earlier been "jumped" by local youths.Graham also had 13 wraps of heroin worth £130 while a search of his home uncovered yet more of the drug, and digital scales,

On May 26 this year, police again arrested Graham as he was out walking his dog.

He was carrying 63 wraps of heroin, worth £10 each.

"He said he'd bought it for his personal use to see him through the Covid lockdown," said Mr Rogerson.

Marion Weir, for Graham, said he had "gone cold turkey" in prison and was now drug free.

Jailing him for 46 months, Judge Nicholas Barker told Graham: "You have spent the last six years - to use your phrase - in a fog when you have been addicted to heroin. I'm told you are now free from taking heroin and realising its devastating effects on you."

Yet his dealing had visited upon others those same devastating effects, said the judge.