Holbeck drug dealer caught in Headingley had cocaine stash in underpants
A drug dealer caught in Headingley with cocaine worth more than £700 hidden in his underpants has been jailed for more than two-and-a-half-years.
Police in an unmarked car stopped 30-year-old Christopher Varley's car for a routine check in Headingley, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Joseph Bell, prosecuting, said officers were suspicious because Varley was unable to speak and was sweating during the stop at around 1.30am on August 30.
Mr Bell said police were searching Varley when they heard a rustling sound in his underwear.
Police found a plastic bag containing 37 small bags of cocaine that had a total street value of £740.
Varley also had £1,230 in cash and a Nokia mobile phone.
The court heard Varley told police he also had some cannabis for personal use.
Varley, of Meynell Heights, Meynell Approach, Holbeck, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property in connection with the £1,230 cash.
He has 20 previous convictions for 36 offences, including battery and criminal damage.
The court heard Varley was handed a 16-week jail sentence suspended for two years in June after failing to comply with a community order.
Martin Morrow, mitigating, said Varley has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression and is on medication.
Mr Morrow said Varley is a scaffolder and did run his own business but lost it in 2018.
Mr Morrow said Varley had started using cocaine during a previous prison sentence.
The court heard Varley had got into debt with drug dealers and ended up dealing to pay them back and to fund his habit.
Mr Morrow said Varley was a child when he started looking after his mother and brother, who had both used heroin.
Mr Morrow said: "He has also spent some time in the care system as a result of his mother not being able to look after him."
Judge Christopher Batty jailed Varley for two years and eight months.
Judge Batty told him: "Dealing in Class A drugs brings misery. You yourself have been the recipient of that misery through your account to the court and you have seen the impact that's had on your mum and your brother, albeit heroin in that case."