A DRUG user who took to dealing to fund his cannabis habit which he used to combat pain from a devastating work injury has been jailed for 18 months.

Manchester Minshull Court heard Lance Kay became involved with drugs after facing debilitating pain from the injury which cause his spine to shatter.

From taking cannabis he became involved in dealing this and cocaine and police found these drugs when they raided his home on Byron Avenue, Radcliffe, in March last year. Officers also found amphetamine and MDMA as well as a diary documenting who owed him money.

Kay, 59, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine from June 2018 until his home was raided and drug possession in March 2019.

Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock said £1,000 in cash, three mobile phones and drugs was found during the house raid.

He added: “There was a diary which police believed was a book of drug debtors. The messages indicated the defendant’s actions dated back to the initial date on the charge, June 2018.”

Defence counsel Juliet Ironfield said: “For five years he has been in constant pain as a result of an accident at work which shattered a number of his vertebrae. He has had operations ongoing ever since.

“His mobility has suffered, he is usually unable to get out of bed, he can’t stand for long periods and has to sit down in the shower.”

She added he had moved onto class a drugs for the pain but they had not worked and he had stopped taking drugs now.

Jailing him, Judge John Edwards said: “I want you to know that I do not for a moment over look your parlous physical condition and the fact that your life has been blighted and that is not your fault. It provides you with an explanation but not an excuse for resorting to these extremes of criminal behaviour.”