A DRUG dealer who told police he originally came to Oxfordshire to do painting and decorating work has been jailed.

Floyd McKoy, of Cemetery Road, Forest Gate, London, was sentenced to two years and three months in prison yesterday at Oxford Crown Court.

The 49-year-old admitted possessing heroin and cocaine, both Class A drugs, with intent to supply, as well as one count of being involved in the supply of drugs.

Jehad Mustafa, prosecuting, said the defendant was arrested on December 10 last year at Bicester railway station carrying £600 worth of Class A drugs.

The barrister said McKoy told police he had been dealing drugs from an address in the town for the previous three days.

Mr Mustafa added that McKoy’s only previous conviction was for possessing cannabis and a bladed article in a public place in 2003.

Claire Fraser, defending, said her client had worked for many years as a painter and decorator and had come to Bicester because he was offered work.

She said it was only when he arrived that the father-of-three was told he would have to work dealing drugs instead. Miss Fraser added: “In his words, it was a huge mistake to make to earn a small amount of money.”

Judge Gordon Risius said he had no choice but to impose an immediate prison sentence and McKoy would also have to pay a £120 victims’ surcharge.