A SINGLE parent was jailed despite saying he had turned his back on drugs after an arrest for dealing cocaine.

Iain MacDonald had given up dealing following his December 2010 arrest, when police found £1,400 worth of cocaine in a raid on his Barton home, a judge was told.

When police raided the 27-year-old’s Bayswater Road home they found 35.7g of cocaine, deal bags, scales and a ‘tick list’ of customers’ orders.

A separate amount of cocaine, weighing 184 milligrammes, was also found.

Nigel Daly, defending at Oxford Crown Court, said his client was a “devoted father” who is the sole carer of his seven-year-old son.

He said MacDonald’s drug use ended after his arrest, adding: “He set up his own business as a window cleaner.

“It doesn’t bring in much money but it fits in with his duties as a single parent. He has done everything he can to put this behind him.”

He was sentenced on Friday having earlier admitted possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply on the basis he was only dealing to acquaintances, and possessing a Class A drug.

Police said the case took so long to come to court due to ongoing investigations into other dealers in the area.

Prosecutor Jane Malcolm said officers searched the defendant’s home on December 7, 2010, and found the items in kitchen cupboards and his bedroom.

She said the larger amount of cocaine was 10 per cent pure and the smaller stash had a purity of 15 per cent. Cash totalling £3,420 in £10 and £20 notes was also found, but MacDonald said these were savings payments made by his girlfriend.

Whether that cash can be seized or not is to be the subject of a hearing at the magistrates’ court, Miss Malcolm said.

She said the street value of the bulk of the cocaine was £1,440.

Judge Mary Jane Mowat jailed MacDonald for 30 months and said: “I’m acutely aware of the fact you have been looking after your son since he was four and he’s now seven, and you are described as a very good father, but that boy does have a mother who can take him on in your absence.”