A PROLIFIC criminal who went from being a teenage menace in Blackbird Leys to 'peddling death' across the city has been jailed for more than five years.

Byron Haines was one of the city police's main targets after running a drug network in Oxford and had been 'on their radar' for a number of years.

Haines, who was banned from the Blackbird Leys estate and dubbed its 'number one problem' after being convicted 17 times before his 18th birthday, seemed unmoved as he was thrown behind bars for five-and-a-half years.

The 26-year-old was slammed by Judge Peter Ross for recruiting others to dish out the drugs, which he claimed bring 'utter misery' to lives.

Jailing Haines on Monday at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Ross added: "It is clear from the evidence, you were running a major network within this city and its suburbs.

"This is a truly evil trade and it needs to be understood by those in this city who are prepared to peddle death on our streets, that sentences are meant to deter."

PC Mavindra Narrainsawmy, an officer based in the city centre, said his team were pleased to finally get their man.

He said: "He has been a regular offender and has been committing crimes in the city since he was a teenager.

"He's been on our radar for a number of years and it's very pleasing to get him and get him off the streets.

"There was constant information coming in about him but it was ultimately about getting the right information.

He added: "The reason he was one of our main targets was that he was supplying to the homeless community in the city - and with the homeless situation being a problem in Oxford, taking him out of the equation will allow us to move forward to deal with it."

Prosecutor Jonathon Stone told Oxford Crown Court Haines was caught 'red-handed' after officers swooped on him following a tip-off from his landlord.

The father-of-two was spotted slumped on a sofa, clutching a small bag packed with a white substance when police crept into the Kidlington property.

Mr Stone said: "The defendant had a look of sheer panic on his face as he saw the officers coming into the room."

Haines rolled onto his stomach in an attempt to 'get rid' of the drugs, forcing police to deliver distraction blows as they tried to arrest him in Wilsdon Way, Kidlington.

Officers then noticed some of the powder smeared across the front of Haines' trousers and on the sofa after he had tried to 'rub away' the substance, believed to be cocaine.

Mr Stone told the court officers uncovered 13.87g of heroin, with a street value of about £1,400, along with 12.88g of cocaine, worth about £1,300.

Drug-related texts were discovered on a SIM card found in the drug dealer's room, along with two sets of scales, £160 cash and three 'tick-lists'.

Defence barrister Martin Khoshdel said Haines was planning to sell some of the drugs to revellers at the Glastonbury festival.

Haines, who must pay a victim surcharge, had a cannabis problem when younger which developed into a Class A drug addiction, Mr Khoshdel claimed.

Mr Khoshdel went on to tell the court the 'family man', of Blackburn Close, Headington, was selling the drugs to fund his own habit.

Haines, who gave a no comment police interview, claimed at the start of his trial on Monday he was only using the drugs for personal use.

But hours later he admitted possessing crack cocaine and diamorphine with intent to supply on June 16.

Judge Ross ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs, paraphernalia, and mobile phone, along with the forfeiture of the cash seized.