22-year-old turned to dealing cocaine as debts mounted up

A YOUNG man saddled with drug debts ended up dealing cocaine to clear his ever-increasing slate.

Bristol Crown Court heard that when Karl Oram's home was raided, police found six wraps of cocaine hidden in a lamp- shade, along with a bag of cannabis.

The 22-year-old, of Woodview Close, Shirehampton, was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday.

Prosecuting, Paul Connell said the police executed a warrant on August 14 and Oram immediately admitted that the 180.6g of cocaine and 15.6g of cannabis belonged to him.

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In his bedroom, officers found weighing scales which had cocaine residue on them. They also found four clear "snap" bags and a piece of paper with names, initials and numbers on it, which turned out to be a dealer's list.

Oram admitted possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, and possessing a class B drug.

Mitigating, Derek Perry said his client's problems started when he was a teenager and started using drugs recreationally. Over the years he started to accrue convictions for possession and debts to dealers that reached £48,000 and had seen him threatened and twice seriously beaten up.

"His life has become an utter misery," Mr Perry said.

Judge Julian Lambert acknowledged that Oram was being used by people "further up the chain" but said the offences were so serious, he had to go to jail.

He said: "It's a terrible world, the world of controlled drugs, and you know that now, to your cost."