A DRUG dealer who used a burger van as a cover for his trade was jailed for four-and-a-half years yesterday.

Paul Sherrington, 34, claimed his income from selling burgers funded his drug addiction, but police alleged that he made his money from selling cocaine, said Shaun Dryden, prosecuting.

When County Durham drugs squad officers raided Sherrington's home in March they seized cocaine, a list of names and hundreds of pounds of cash.

Sherrington claimed the names were people to whom he lent money, and called five as witnesses at his Teesside Crown Court trial.

Christopher Knox, defending, said there were no signs that Sherrington was a commercial dealer.

Sherrington, of Cheltenham Drive, Cotswolds, Boldon Colliery, in South Tyneside, was found guilty of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply it.

Judge Tony Briggs said he was satisfied that Sherrington's drugs activity was more than minimal.

Sherrington was jailed for three years in 1998 for a similar charge involving Ecstasy.

He was also ordered to pay £1,800 costs