A LONG-term addict allowed his Kendal home to be used for class A “county lines” drugs supply and became a dealer himself.

Plain-clothed police on duty in the Abbot Hall area at round 12-40pm on May 29 saw Craig Jackson approach a popular town park.

A suspected drug deal took place in a secluded area of that park and, after Jackson returned home for a short time, he left again and was seen to have a balled fist as headed for what police believed would be another illegal exchange.

The 48-year-old was intercepted and arrested.

When his home was searched, two phones were seized and a teenager from outside Cumbria was also detained after jumping from a window.

Although Jackson initially said he knew nothing about any drug dealing, he later conceded he had a role which was limited to passing back money to the teenager during what he understood was a short-term arrangement likely to last only a matter of days.

Jackson, of Highgate, Kendal, admitted being concerned in the supply of both crack cocaine and heroin, and possessing both class A substances with intent to supply.

A father, he was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court, when it emerged he had suffered several family tragedies - including the death of one his two sons - had battled mental health problems and been jailed for four years in 2015 for the knifepoint robbery of a teenager working in a garage shop in Lound Road, Kendal.

Megan Tollitt, defending, said of the county lines crimes: “Mr Jackson’s involvement in this offence all stems from his background as a long-term drug user, and use of class A drugs since he was 18 years old.

“Through his own use he has become exposed to those involved in the supply of class A drugs and, ultimately, became involved in the activity himself.”

Jailing him for three years and three months for the May drugs crimes, Recorder Michael Hayton QC said: “I view you as someone with a long-term drug addiction who inevitably is drawn into criminality.”

The judge added: “The supply of drugs involves with it much wider criminality that is a bane on the local community.”