Drug dealer jailed

James Robert Hyland, 36, was arrested after police raided his house in Hedgeley Road, Hebburn, South Tyneside.

Police had been observing known drug users coming and going from the house over a three week period in March and April this year under the banner of Operation Wombat.

On April 12 this year they raided the house and found various drugs to the value of £1,600 and £219 in cash.

Hyland had been married to mother-of-one Lianne Hyland, 30, also of Hedgeley Road, Hebburn, for less than a year at the time of the raid.

His wife also appeared at Newcastle Crown Court charged with possession of diamorphine.

James Hyland pleaded guilty to charges of supplying diamorphone and possession of crack cocaine.

Roger Liddle, prosecuting, said: "On April 12 the premises were entered and Mr Hyland arrested.

"Lianne Hyland was found with diamorphine that fell from her pyjamas.

"Mr Hyland tried to swallow some rocks of crack cocaine and had to be taken to hospital.

"In interview he fully accepted that he had been dealing drugs from the premises.

"He accepted full responsibility and that he had panicked when he had tried to swallow the crack cocaine.

"In a statement he said I am glad that I have been caught as I can now get help. We have begged for help and nobody has assisted'."

John Wilkinson, mitigating for James Hyland, said: "He found himself in something of a catch-22 situation after he tried to get assistance for drug rehabilitation.

"He started dealing in order to fund the habit over a relatively short period.

"This is very low scale dealing."

James Hyland was sentenced to two years in prison for three charges of supplying diamorphine and one charge of possession of crack cocaine.

Judge Hyland added: "I hope that when you come out having been given assistance you will be able to keep to your resolve and keep off drugs."

The judge gave Lianne Hyland a conditional discharge for two years after she pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine.