A ‘COUNTY lines’ drug dealer who plied heroin and crack cocaine across Banbury all in a bid to pay off his council tax debts has been jailed.

Simeon Bayoh, of Broad Common Estate, Hackney, London, had already admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs – heroin and crack cocaine – as well as acquiring criminal property.

But at his sentencing on Tuesday, Oxford Crown Court heard how the 26-year old had only agreed to sell the drugs to pay off his mounting utility bills and his council tax arrears.

The court heard that police first busted the short-lived drug dealing operation when they raided a house at Vulcan Court, Banbury, on Tuesday, March 6.

On searching the address police discovered more than a hundred wraps of Class A drugs, made up of 51 wraps of heroin as well as 67 wraps of crack cocaine.

They also found £468 in cash.

After he was arrested, Bayoh confessed that he had dealt drugs the day before the arrest and made about £500 for his efforts.

In mitigation, Jonathan Coode said that his client had only gotten involved in drug dealing as a means to pay off his mounting debt to Hackney Council.

He said: “That was his situation, to get £500 or so to pay his debts.

“He greatly regrets it and he has asked me to issue a personal apology to the courts for his naivety at getting involved.”

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: “It is a great shame that at the age of 26 you have now lost your good character.

“You clearly were in considerable debt to Hackney borough council and you were struggling to pay your council tax and your rates.

“You are intelligent enough to know that dealing in Class A drugs is a bad idea and it is looked upon very severely by these courts.”

For each count of dealing drugs he was jailed for 28 months as well as eight months for acquiring criminal property, all of which will be served concurrently.