A MAN was jailed for more than three years yesterday after admitting he dealt in heroin to fund his drug addiction.

Steven Bunney, 24, of Church Street, Guisborough, east Cleveland, admitted possessing £550-worth of heroin with intent to supply last October. He also admitted a charge of possessing the drug.

Teesside Crown Court heard that police officers, with a warrant to search Bunney's home had gone to his address and saw him throwing a package out of a window. The package was found to contain heroin, said Ian West, prosecuting. More wraps of the drug were found on Bunney.

Mr West said police also found pieces of paper, each stating the same mobile phone number, which he said were to hand out to prospective drug buyers.

Nine days later, he said, Bunney was approached by officers and was seen to take an item from his pocket and put it into his mouth. Bunney admitted a charge of obstructing a police officer.

On April 7, Mr West said, Bunney approached a witness in the case against him, telling her she should not go to court.

He was found guilty of witness intimidation at the magistrates' court, said Mr West.

John Gillette, for Bunney, said his client had been dealing in drugs to fund his own habit, not for profit.