A DRUG dealer caught with stolen laptop computers has been jailed by a judge at Oxford Crown Court.

John Allen, of Bonar Road, Headington, admitted two counts of possessing heroin and crack cocaine, with intent to supply.

The 44-year-old also pleaded guilty to two counts of handling stolen goods and an attempted burglary.

Neil Moore, prosecuting, said a break-in took place at a student house in Marlborough Road, South Oxford, between May 23 and May 28 last year.

An HP laptop, a TV and a Samsung computer monitor were found to be missing.

The barrister explained that on the same day Allen walked into Yasai Computers, in Cinnaminta Road, Oxford, and left two laptops to be repaired.

Mr Moore said Allen returned on May 31 but in the meantime police had searched the shop for stolen goods and seized the computers and that when he learned this Allen left the shop and the owner called the police.

He was arrested nearby, carrying £140 worth of drugs.

While on bail he then carried out an attempted burglary on August 24 in Mark Road, Oxford, Mr Moore said.

Benjamin Gordon, defending, said his client had been working as a clerk in a bookmakers but lost his job in April last year, which caused him to suffer depression and relapse into drug dependency.

He asked the judge to suspend any prison sentence so Allen could sort his life out and get help kicking his habit.

But Judge Patrick Eccles said Allen had caused “too much harm to too many other people” and sentenced him to three years and three months in prison.