A drug addict has been jailed for three years after he was caught supplying cocaine to an undercover police officer.

Brian Warrington, of Poplar Avenue, Gravesend, admitted three offences of offering to supply Class A drugs in March this year.

Christopher Sutton-Mattocks, defending, told Maidstone Crown Court: “We are talking about very small quantities. This is a man who has a considerable problem in respect of drugs.”

Judge Martin Joy told 24-year-old Warrington: “The fact is, those who deal in Class A drugs involve themselves in extremely serious criminal offences.

“The taking of drugs is a scourge on individuals and society. It undermines the individual and society. It is a filthy and degrading habit when someone becomes addicted to drugs.

“You know that as much as anybody. There has to be a very clear message that those involved in the supply of Class A drugs will receive severe punishment.”

The judge said the maximum sentence available to the court was seven years imprisonment.

Warrington was given six months for breaching a suspended sentence and three months for breach of a restraining order, both concurrent to the three years for the drugs offences.