A DRUG dealer who had been 'a busy boy' in Worcester attempted to dispose of his dirty phone when caught by police but officers could hear it ringing in a bush.

Jacque Lane was jailed for dealing when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday as the judge told him it was a 'great shame' he had got involved in drugs after the defendant met more sophisticated criminals in jail.

The 20-year-old of Ombersley Road, Worcester, admitted possession of class A drugs crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply after sending out bulk advertising messages to at least 37 customers.

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, said the police received information on August 21 at around 8am that the defendant was dealing drugs in Dines Green, Worcester.

When police found Lane in the area he was searched him but before they detained him he discarded one of two mobile telephones in a bush and 'noticed it had been ringing while they were dealing with him'.

Officers seized two mobile telephones, 10 wraps of heroin, one wrap of crack cocaine and nine paper wraps containing an unknown substance.

The mobile telephones were analysed and they contained drug-related messages and an outgoing advertising message had been had been sent from his phone to 37 recipients saying 'come and collect'.

His home was later searched but nothing of interest was found apart from some cling film. A photograph of a knife was found on his phone.

Lane had nothing on his record for drugs before this, receiving a three year prison sentence for something dissimilar. However, that previous sentence meant he was on licence for that previous offence at the time he was dealing in Worcester, taken as an aggravating feature by the courts.

"This is his second significant conviction, his first for drugs" said Mr Whitfield.

He said the starting point in the sentencing guidelines was a prison sentence of four and a half years with a range available of between three and a half and seven years.

Recorder David Mason QC said: "The reality is he's a low level street dealer. He's the bottom of the chain."

However, Mr Whitfield said: "It's not just a one-off by the sound of it. There were 37 customers he was touting for business." Recorder Mason said: "He's a busy boy."

Jason Aris, for Lane, said his client had been recalled on his previous sentence and was serving that until January next year. Mr Aris said Lane had pleaded guilty to the drugs offences at the magistrates court, asking him to be given maximum credit. Mr Aris said Lane had had some problems of his own with cocaine use.

Recorder Mason said: "I suspect what has happened is, reading between the lines, while you were serving that sentence of three years in a Young Offender's Institution, you met some rather more sophisticated young men than you as far as criminality and drug involvement which is no doubt why you have come out and started dealing on the streets. It's a great shame because you have never been in trouble for drugs before.

Giving him full credit for his early plea, the Recorder sentenced him to two years in a Young Offender Institution. He can expect to serve half this sentence in custody and half in the community on licence. Lane must also pay a victim surcharge which is calculated administratively. "We hope we won't see you again" said Recorder Mason.