A WHITEHAVEN heroin addict turned dealer who was caught with a £630 stash of the class A drug had boasted of “coining it in”.

When police caught 43-year-old David Graham, a former soldier with 30 offences on his criminal record, he claimed he had 63 heroin wraps for his personal use “to see him through the Covid lockdown”.

He continued dealing the drug last month despite knowing he was awaiting sentence for an almost identical offence a year earlier, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of Croasdale Avenue, Whitehaven, admitted two counts of possessing heroin with intent to supply.

The first of those offences was committed on May 14 last year, and the second in May this year. On the earlier occasion, he was carrying a bladed article, an offence he also admitted.

When police stopped him last year, in Flatt Walks, Whitehaven, Graham claimed he had the multi-tool device, the blade of which was extended, “for protection”. He said he had earlier been “jumped” by local youths.

Yet in text messages, he spoke of being “tooled up” and of people who would be “getting it.” Graham also had 13 wraps of heroin worth £130 while a search of his home uncovered yet more of the drug, and digital scales,

On May 26 this year, police again arrested Graham as he was walking his dog. He was carrying 63 wraps of heroin, worth £10 each. “He said he’d bought it for his personal use to see him through the Covid lockdown,” said Mr Rogerson.

Marion Weir, for Graham, said he was now drug-free. “He himself was heavily addicted and has been heavily addicted for six years,” said the barrister.While Graham sent text messages about “coining it in”, he used the money made from dealing to pay for basics, such as food and electricity. She added: “This was not a case where he was funding a lavish lifestyle,” added Miss Weir.

There was also a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress, she said.

Jailing him for 46 months, Judge Nicholas Barker told Graham: “You have spent the last six years – to use your phrase – in a fog when you have been addicted to heroin. I’m told you are now free from taking heroin and realising its devastating effects on you.”

Yet his dealing visited upon others those same devastating effects, said the judge.