A DRUG dealer who had a taser device disguised as an iPhone has been jailed for five years.

Darrell Pinnington, 24, of Steamer Street, Barrow pleaded guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, and to being in possession of a firearm at Barrow Crown Court.

A police search of his house led to the discovery of two wraps of crack cocaine and five wraps of heroin, as well as a taser disguised as an iPhone, which was hidden in a cupboard.

Police also found £140 hidden inside a DVD case, a list of names and phone numbers inside a CD case, and almost £4,000 in cash hidden inside an armchair.

In mitigation, defence barrister Mr Richard Haworth said: "He is of previous good character, which is in his favour.

Mr Haworth told the court that the taser was for Pinnington's protection only. He said: "He had taken it it to scare off any 'crackheads' in his words."

The court heard that Pinnington had only appeared before court once previously, on a charge unrelated to drugs.

Pinnington had been working as a plasterer, reportedly earning £500 a week before he began dealing drugs to supposedly help a friend who was ill.

Police were described as being "surprised" that Pinnington was involved in a crime such as this.

Judge Beverley Lunt sentenced Pinnington to five years in prison for both offences.

She said: "Five years is the appropriate sentence for these crimes."

Judge Lunt also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and weapon, as well as the forfeiture of £3,970 attributed to drugs.

Read more about a heroin-dealing couple sentenced earlier this month:

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/barrow/Drug-dealing-couple-from-Barrow-sentenced-to-five-years-in-prison-b0c0b6ec-fb38-4d4c-bc87-f9074e14bfcd-ds