A MAN who came to Barrow to look for work and ended up selling heroin and crack cocaine 'to pay for food' has been jailed.

Karl Farrant has been sent to prison for four and a half years after admitting to four Class A drug offences when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

The 26-year-old was arrested after a member of the public found wraps of heroin and crack cocaine worth more than £5,000 on the street on September 17 2020, said prosecutor Stephen Parker.

The drugs contained blood which was matched with the defendant - which led to him being brought in for questioning and later released under investigation.

Mr Parker told the court the defendant was later under surveillance during Cumbria Police's Operation Medusa on May 25 where he was seen making transactions with known drug users.

"On May 28, before 11am police observed a group of known drug users congregating on a street in Barrow," he said.

"Police then carried out observation on a suspected drug deal taking place before going in.

"There was a brief struggle before the defendant dropped the bag."

In the bag contained wraps of heroin and crack cocaine as well as £190 in cash.

Defence lawyer Claire Brocklebank told the court Farrant had plans to better himself and become a law-abiding citizen when he came out of prison.

"He ended up in Barrow and his ambition was to start fresh," Ms Brocklebank said - referencing his previous reliance on drugs and alcohol.

"Because of the pandemic work was thin on the ground.

"He became involved in the supply of drug in order to pay for food.

"He has since been diagnosed with anxiety and depression."

Ms Brocklebank said Farrant, of Lenthay Close, Sherbourne, Dorset, has learnt of the impact drug dealing can have on people and their families.

She said he was using his time in prison to gain qualifications in brick laying, horticulture and social work.

"It seems you were not part of a county lines operation," her honour Judge H Lloyd said.

"Being interested in the drug scene you will know of its scourge in Barrow and is often run by gangs from Liverpool and Manchester.

"Your blood was found in drug wraps worth between £5,000 to £6,000.

"This is a large amount to trust to someone who has been in the area such little time.

"You would have thought that being arrested and released under investigation would put you off continuing in this, yet officers observed you on a number of occasions continuing this."