A heroin dealer was caught with almost £12,000 cash, along with packaging which suggested he could have peddled a kilo of the drug.

Liam Dean Shepherd, 32, is starting a six-year jail term after being caught with the class A substance twice in less than three months.

Prosecutor Beccy McGregor told Carlisle Crown Court a warrant was executed at Shepherd’s Princess Drive, Maryport, home on the morning of November 14. Police found several “brown blocks” drying, and recovered a total of 42.5g of heroin worth more than £2,800. Weighing scales, cash, three mobile phones and deal bags were also located.

Shepherd was released under investigation but was in trouble again on the afternoon of February 1. “The defendant was seen walking along a street in Maryport,” said Ms McGregor. “He was seen to be carrying a carrier bag. As he spotted the police officers he began to run away.”

He was stopped and a search revealed almost 27g of heroin, £11,869.37 cash and diazepam tablets.

However, a detective highlighted that heroin was wrapped in brown packaging which indicated it had contained a 1kg block.

“This would normally be found at the higher end of drug dealing,” Ms McGregor said of the officer’s conclusion. “He describes it is unusual that a low-level dealer would be found with such a package.

“In his experience, he has never experienced that.”

A large volume of incoming and missed calls were recorded on Shepherd’s phone in the days before that stoppage.

He admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply on the two different dates, along with having criminal property and class C diazepam.

Jack Troup, defending, said Shepherd - beset by family tragedy in 2017 - was motivated to change his offending ways. “He says the death of his mother caused significant difficulties in his thinking and personal life,” said Mr Troup. “That is what led him into the offences.”

Jailing Shepherd, Judge James Adkin said of the heroin supply crimes: “The inference is that you had been involved in supplying a kilo of heroin.”