Lee Tomkins, of Coltman Street, ran a painting and decorating business before his life took a wrong turn.
He claimed that he had lost his own flat about three weeks earlier and was offered accommodation by a friend on condition that he sold drugs. "Over the past few years, his offending has slowed down considerably. Really, he has been doing very well in reducing his offending over the years and so this offence is really very disappointing."
"In exchange for that, to fund your own addiction, you were getting a supply and you were getting somewhere to live. You know first hand the misery that Class A drugs brings.