A NEWPORT man has been jailed for dealing drugs after police found incriminating text messages on his phone.

Benjamin Sharps, aged 21, of Monnow Way in Bettws, was sentenced to 27 months in prison at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday.

Prosecutor Eugene Egan said £140 cash, weighing scales, 15.6g of mephedrone, and 3.49g of cocaine was recovered from the defendant by police late last year.

A Nokia mobile phone was also recovered with some texts including: “I’ll find people to buy it don’t worry,” the court heard.

During interview with the police, Sharps said he had been given the drugs and was told to sell them on to others.

Mr Egan said Sharps admitted he had only just started trafficking controlled drugs when he was caught.

He had pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a drug of class B and A at an earlier hearing.

Matthew Cobbe, defending, said his client had been “put under pressure” by someone older than him to carry out the selling of drugs.

The court heard Sharps, who appeared via video link from prison, had previous convictions including robbery, battery, and possession of class A and B drugs.

Sentencing the defendant, Mr Recorder Peter Rouch QC said: “You and others must understand that for those who get involved in the trafficking of drugs - to whatever level – only a custodial sentence can be given.

“I take into account that the amount of cocaine was small, and that you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, for which you will receive a full discount.”

Sharps was told he would serve 27 months in jail for the possession of cocaine with intent to supply, while the six-month sentence for the possession of class B with intent to supply will run concurrently.

He will serve the total of 27 months in custody before being released on licence, and will also have to pay a victim surcharge of £120.