A father-of-five from St Judes caught dealing class A drugs, and then class B while on police bail, has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Ian Sherman, addicted to heroin himself for 16 years, was found to have stashes of cocaine, cannabis and other substances at his marital home in Stonechat Gardens, Frenchay, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Sherman, 41, who had moved out and was living at John Cozens House in Lamb Street, admitted possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, as well as simple possession of cocaine and diazepam.

Imposing sentence, Judge Jamie Tabor QC told him: "Those who deal in Class A drugs can expect six years, if contested. They are dealing in misery and death."

James Ward, prosecuting, told the court police executed a search warrant of the Stonechat Gardens mid-terrace home in September last year, and found 8.76g of cocaine with a street value of £350.40.

A text message on a phone, which Sherman accepted was his, read: "My mum wants 1g; don't cut it or she'll buy more."

Sherman denied knowing anything about 15 cannabis plants at the home, and said though he was separated from his wife, he still visited.

Police charged Sherman with possessing drugs with intent to supply, the court heard, and bailed him.

In June this year, however, police searched the property again and found 133.35g of cannabis with a street value of £759.45, 162 diazepam tablets and 36 bruphrenophine tablets.

Sherman told them he smoked £30 to £40 worth of cannabis daily, and spent £30 a week on cocaine.

David Maunder, defending, said his client was addicted to heroin from the age of 25 to 41, but was now clean.

He said: "This was pretty low level distribution of cocaine and the quantities at home were relatively modest amounts."