A PAIR caught in the supply of class a drugs in Cockhedge Lane have been sent to prison for a total of more than five years.

Khalid Sawadi of Lowell Street, and Stephen Johnston of Lansdowne Place, Liverpool, were travelling through the town when they their hire vehicle was stopped by officers on May 13.

Michael Stephenson, prosecuting in Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, said police found Sawadi, 38, as the driver and Johnston, 22, as the rear passenger.

Police recovered cannabis on Sawadi's person.

Johnston was in possession of £300 and a quantity of class a drugs, which were secreted in his body.

These included wraps of crack cocaine totalling 3.68g and diamorphine, totalling 3.61g.

A mobile phone was recovered from the vehicle and messages on the device showed that the pair were receiving directions for the supply of drugs.

David Birrell, defending Sawadi during the hearing, said he is remorseful for his actions and indicated a guilty plea.

He has been a cannabis user for a number of years to cope with mental health issues, but Sawadi is hoping to address this.

Mr Birrell stressed that he has worked hard and completed a university degree, but going to prison will cause another setback as he tries to turn his life around.

Sawadi has seven previous convictions for 14 offences.

Lionel Greig, representing Johnston, said he deserved credit for his guilty plea.

Mr Greig said his client co-operated with police in handing over the drugs in his possession.

The court heard how Johnston's involvement in the supply of drugs was a result of his cannabis debt, something Johnston is ashamed of.

He has never had a custodial sentence before.

Judge Trevor Jones, sentencing in Liverpool Crown Court, said: "People who involve themselves in the supply of controlled drugs must expect to go to prison, and when the drugs concerned are class a they should expect to go to prison for a considerable amount of time.

"In this case, you were caught red-handed."

Sawadi was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.

Meanwhile, Johnston was handed two years and four months.