A FORMER football club apprentice who let heroin dealers use his flat was jailed for three years yesterday.

Teesside Crown Court was told Colin Leadbeater, 21, was an addict who owed money to the drugs gang and saw it as the only way to pay off his debt.

Police raided the flat, said Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, and found heroin worth £4,500 and £1,575 in cash, with traces of heroin all over his kitchen, including on electronic scales and plastic bags.

The police also searched his parents' house, where they discovered £1,425 in a bedroom he sometimes used.

John Gillette, defending, said Leadbeater trained at Darlington FC for two years but was released because he was felt to be too small.

He said that Leadbeater was a vulnerable person who received £283 a fortnight in benefits, which was initially enough to fund his drug habit.

The 21-year-old ended up with huge debts for drugs and let the dealers use his flat - his only asset.

Mr Gillette said: "He knew what was going on. He is not someone who is likely to offend again, and he is keen to take advantage of the various courses that will be available to him in prison, build himself up, and eventually move away."

Leadbeater, of Brinewells Green, Longlands, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply on April 3.

Judge Peter Bowers said: "Normally, anyone convicted of possession with intent to supply is looking at four years or more. Because of your age and medical problems and lack of previous convictions, I am able to reduce that.