A DRUG dealer caught peddling crack and heroin to undercover officers has been jailed.

Tejuan Thomas, of Brookfield Road, Hackney, London, had already admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply heroin and one of possession with intent to supply cocaine as well as a further charge of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing hearing on Tuesday how the 21-year old was first caught selling drugs as part of a Thames Valley Police sting across Banbury called Operation Joust.

On March 27 he was observed by an undercover officer selling wraps of crack and heroin.

The same car in which he had dealt the drugs - a blue Vauxhall Astra, was later stopped by police at Edinburgh Way, Banbury, and officers searched the vehicle.

They discovered a stash of drugs which totalled £2,595 in street deals, the court heard.

Mobile phones also seized indicated the use of a drugs line in the area known as 'MZ'. Officers also seized a wad of cash totalling more than £1,000.

In mitigation, Meredoc McMinn urged the court to take the extraordinary course of sparing jail and imposing a community penalty to tackle his client's offending.

Mr McMinn said that Thomas was a young man who was soon to become a father and added that he was determined to not re-offend in future.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said that the crime was so serious it had be met with an immediate custodial sentence.

He said: "You played a significant role in the dealing of drugs.

"You need to understand and people must understand that those who deal drugs on our streets and on these county lines will receive significant prison sentences."

Thomas was jailed for a total of 48 months for each of the offences to run concurrently and he must pay a victim surcharge.

For another offence of driving without insurance there was no separate penalty.