Yorkshire Crowne Plaza worker advertised sale of ketamine and a cocaine on Facebook while on sick leave from hotel chain

Joseph Renouccie's illegal enterprise was uncovered when he was taken into custody at a police station in Leeds on an unrelated matter.

Officers searched the 21-year-old and found him in possession of six bags of ketamine, two mobile phones and £381 in cash.

The phones were examined and found to contain a large number of messages relating to the supply of drugs.

Officers also discovered a Facebook account in which cocaine was offered for sale and Renouccie informing people that he was in the area.

The account also included photographs of cash, drugs and a drug price list.

Renouccie, of Princes Square, Harrogate, refused to comment when interviewed by police.

He pleaded guilty to possession of ketamine with intent to supply and offering to supply cocaine.

The court heard Renouccie has no previous convictions.

Probation officer Jacquie Brook said Renouccie had been working full-time at the Crowne Plaza hotel.

The court heard the defendant suffers from Crohn's disease and was off sick at the time of the offending due to his condition.

Ms Brook said: "He had no savings and knew another who offered to help him financially to commit the offences."

The court heard Renounccie had lost his offer of a place at Leeds Beckett University on a sports management course as a result of the offences.

The defendant lost his job with the hotel firm had found full-time warehouse work with Amazon.

Mark Foley, mitigating, said Renouccie comes from a supportive family and had suffered with his health since being diagnosed with the condition aged 14.

Mr Foley said the mobile phone containing the incriminating evidence was a "communal phone" which was also used by others.

He said his client was aged 19 at the time of the offending in February last year.

The lawyer added: "I can say little more about the offences because he has been forthright and makes no excuses for getting involved.

"He is from a good family with a good education."

Renouccie was jailed for two years.

Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said: "Those who involve themselves in the supply of drugs must expect serious sentences.

"My public duty dictates that it has to be a custodial sentence."