A "middleman" Derbyshire drug dealer bought cannabis in large quantities through bank transfer and then sold it on credit to customers to fund an addiction he's had to the substance for two decades. Derby Crown Court heard how Jamie Clarke told the police he has smoked the class B drug "every day for 20 years" after they arrested him following a raid at his flat.

The 35-year-old's sentencing hearing was told how his long-suffering parents "do not tolerate" their son's use of the class B substance and "march him back out the door" if they smell it on him. Now he has been sent to prison for his wrongdoing.

Jailing him for nine months, Recorder Richard McConaghy said: "Jamie Clarke you need to understand how dangerous the drug cannabis is. It is very easy to think that cannabis is a 'nothing sort of drug' but that is entirely wrong.

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"It has a hurtful impact on people up and down the country every day. You accept that you acted as a middleman."

Thomas Welshman, prosecuting, said officers went to the defendant's flat in Swadlincote on May 15, 2021. He said when they entered there was a smell of cannabis and a number of items were recovered.

The prosecutor said there was around £500 to £600 of the class B drug in the house along with digital scales. Mr Welshman said: "A mobile phone was seized and analysed and there were a number of drug references on it.

"It showed he has been concerned in the supply of cannabis to others for a number of months and that he had used bank transfers in order to buy the drugs. He would allow customers to buy on credit and it was a significant quantity.

"When the defendant was interviewed he said the items at his house were for his own use but he did accept the mobile phone was his. He said he used cannabis every day and had done for 20 years. He said he acted as 'a middleman'."

Clarke, of Chrysanthemum Court, Newhall, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis to others. Mr Welshman said the defendant's criminal record includes a previous conviction for supplying, producing and possessing cannabis from June 2019.

Lauren Fisher, mitigating, said her client was supported in court this week by his mother and aunt in the public gallery. She said: "He is a 35-year-old man who has struggled throughout his life through alcohol and drugs but he tells me he has made significant steps to turn his life around.

"His mum and dad do not tolerate his use of cannabis and he tells me he has not had any cannabis for the past three months. If he goes to their house and they smell cannabis on his breath or clothing they will march him back out of the door."

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, which could see Clarke have money or goods taken from him to pay back what he has made from his illegal enterprise, was set for later this year.

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