AN addict who started selling drugs to pay off a debt to his dealer was yesterday locked up for two-and-a-half years.

David Patten, 26, planned to deal heroin on the streets of Hartlepool for just a short time until his slate was wiped clean.

His barrister said: “He was aware of the risk but due to the short-term nature of the dealing, he didn’t think he’d be caught.”

Paul Cleasby, mitigating, told Teesside Crown Court: “It was madness on his part because of the risk that there was.”

The court heard that Patten had been out of trouble for two years before he was caught with the heroin in July last year.

He had served prison sentences in the past, and had been released from his most recent – for three robberies – in May 2007.

Mr Cleasby said: “He is extremely disappointed he has allowed himself to become embroiled in this offence because it has put in jeopardy all the good progress he has made.

“A two-year period for a man of 26 with his background is significant achievement.”

Patten, of Stockton Road, Hartlepool, admitted possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply on July 29.

The court heard that police challenged him near the town centre, and he threw a backpack he was carrying at them.

Patten then fled and was seen to discard a plastic egg, which officers recovered and found to contain 50 wraps of heroin worth £250.

The judge, Recorder Paul Sloan, QC, described Patten as “realistic” when he saw him enter court with personal belongings for his cell.

Patten, who had a carrier bag and a music system, was told his sentence was being reduced because of the recent progress he has made.