A Gloucester man has been jailed for the possession of £3,000 worth of crack cocaine with the intent of selling it to users.

Mandela Sutherland , aged 29, of Matson Avenue pleaded guilty at the city crown court to possessing 31.1 grams of crack cocaine in a single lump with the intention to supply but denied that the level of his drug dealing was as high as the prosecution alleged.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC held a mini trial and agreed with the prosecution that Sutherland's involvement in drug dealing was higher than he admitted. He jailed Sutherland for 38 months.

Prosecutor Janine Wood said that on August 17, 2017 the lump of crack cocaine was found inside Sutherland's jacket pocket along with £1,300 in cash, which is believed to have been the proceeds he made from drug dealing.

Michael Situ, defending said that Sutherland hadn't made any financial advantage from selling drugs.

Judge Lawrie said that Sutherland had not been totally honest about his drug dealing, and said he couldn't tell the truth about his involvement during the 40 minute hearing.

Judge Lawrie also ordered for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs, the paraphernalia, which includes a set of digital scales, and for the money to be used by Gloucestershire Constabulary for the prevention of drug crime in the county.

The judge also ordered that Sutherland pay £170 victim surcharge.