A 43-year-old Wallasey man who admitted possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that on March 11 this year police officers saw Christopher Jones going into a house in Upton and, as they believed he had been involved in dealing drugs, they stopped him when he emerged.

He was searched and found to have nine rocks of crack cocaine on him and £415 cash, said Miss Nicola Daley, prosecuting.

Officers went to his home and found drug-dealing paraphernalia including a drug-dealer's list. When interviewed, he denied selling drugs and said the money was from gambling. Police raided his home a month later and found cocaine powder.

Jones, of New Street, Seacombe, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cocaine.

Judge Denis Clark said that Jones was on sickness benefit yet had £415 cash on him when arrested. Crack cocaine has devastating effects on the community and Wirral had a "terrible problem with drugs," he said.

But Judge Clark added, "Wirral is tackling it and beginning to get on top of it."