A RADCLIFFE man who took to dealing drugs 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 an injury which cause his spine to shatter.

From taking cannabis he became involved in dealing the same substance and cocaine and police found these drugs when they raided his home on Byron Avenue in March last year.

Officers also found quantities of amphetamine and MDMA as well as a diary documenting who owed him money.

Kay pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine from June 2018 until his home was raided and possessing the two other drugs in March 2019.

He appeared through a video link from the police station in Bury and his head and hands could be seen shaking throughout the proceedings.

Prosecutor Duncan Wilcock outlined what the police discovered .

He said: “On 25 March last year police executed a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

“The defendant was told a search would be undertaken.”

He added that £1,000 in cash, three mobile phones and drugs.

He added: “The total value was £561.

“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.”

Representing the 59-year-old, defence counsel Juliet Ironfield revealed the difficulties her client had faced in life.

She 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 hard drugs for the pain but they had not worked and he was now abstinent.

Judge John Edwards said there was no alternative to immediate custody.