A MAN who sourced drugs from Barrow has been jailed after almost £4,000-worth of heroin was found in the loft of a house.

Ben Simmonite, 36, was handed a three-year prison term at Carlisle Crown Court, where details of a crime which also involved his on-off partner came to light.

Mr Nicholas Clarke, prosecuting, said Simmonite was arrested on February 26 last year in connection with a shoplifting allegation. An address at Kendal's Broad Ing Crescent was then searched.

But prior to officers arriving, Simmonite sent a text to his then girlfriend, Sian Cherie Benson. This read, Mr Clarke said, "something along the lines of 'something in the loft'." It was from this part of the house that police recovered heroin worth £3,700. Plastic bags and weighing scales were also located.

Benson, 26, of Broad Ing Crescent, later told how she and Simmonite had an on-off relationship during early 2016. She accepted knowing he "had travelled to Barrow to purchase drugs". She had not contributed to that purchase but confessed to putting drugs in the loft. Both she and Simmonite admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply.

The court heard he also had recent convictions for a cannabis supply crime and two violent attacks. Mr James Heyworth, defending, said: "His mental health difficulties have featured within his offending."

It was hoped that Simmonite could receive necessary treatment in the community. But Judge Davies concluded: "The sentence must be one of custody."

He told Simmonite, now of Rydal Road, Kendal: "This offence was motivated by financial gain. You understood the scale of the operation. Crucially, you used Miss Benson, who was a lady of good character, to do your work for you. That is a considerable aggravating feature."

Benson's two-year prison term was suspended for two years. She must complete 150 hours' unpaid work, and also rehabilitation.

Detective Constable Ben Falvey, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “I am pleased that Simmonite and Benson have been brought before the courts to answer for their crimes. Drug dealing has a significant effect on the communities in which those supplying live, and we will not tolerate it. We will continue to make sure we track down and remove those involved from our streets.”