Cycling drug dealer caught selling heroin and crack cocaine on his bike in Beeston

James Davis was arrested after police searched him when he was seen acting suspiciously in the street at the junction of Longroyd View and Burton Avenue.

Joseph Bell, prosecuting, said police officers were sent to the area to deal with an unrelated matter in the early hours of January 26 last year.

Davis was on his bike and was with another man.

The defendant attempted to cycle off towards Dewsbury Road and the other man ran off when they saw the officers.

Davis was stopped and searched and found in possession of a plastic tub containing class A drugs.

The street value of the drugs was around £200.

Davis was in possession of £137 in cash and two mobile phones.

The 37-year-old was interviewed and admitted selling the drugs on the street.

He said he had started out with 50 wraps in the tub.

Davis said he became involved in street dealing after building up rent arrears of £2,600.

He said he had been working repairing push bikes when he met someone who offered him the chance to earn extra money to clear his debts by selling drugs.

Davis, of Longroyd Place, Beeston, pleaded guilty to two offences of possessing a class A drug with intent.

Martin Morrow, mitigating, said Davis had not been in trouble in the year since his arrest and had not offended for over a decade before that.

Mr Morrow said Davis had not been to prison before and was anxious about the prospect of being sent to custody.

Jailing Davis, Judge Penelope Belcher said: "You knew exactly what you were doing and you knew it was wrong but you were willing to take that risk.

"Class A drugs are extremely serious because of the catastrophic effects it has on people who use them.

"The courts take the selling of drugs on the street extremely seriously."