A FATHER-OF-THREE who became addicted to spice after being released from prison started dealing cocaine to fund his habit.

Defending Nasar Mahmood Kabel, Marianne Alton, said her client’s life had been ruined by spice. Ms Alton said the drug had turned him into a ‘zombie’, he had lost custody of his children and he was about to have his house repossessed.

Prosecuting, Charles Brown said police executed a search warrant at Kabel’s house in St Cecilia Street, Great Harwood, on August 3.

Nobody was in the house at the time but officers found snap bags containing 12.88 grammes of cocaine, with an 82 per cent purity, with an estimated street value of £1,480. There was also a bag containing 12 grammes of spice and six quarter gramme bags of cannabis. Officers also found £725 in cash, a drug dealer tick list - containing names, amounts and costs of drug deals, empty snap bags and weighing scales.

Mr Brown said: “Forensic analysis of the packing revealed the presence of the defendant’s fingerprints.

“He went to the police station voluntarily. He admitted he had been dealing cocaine in order to fund his own spice addiction.”

Kabel, 36, told officers he had been dealing £800 of cocaine a week while using between £70 and £80 of spice a day.

Kabel pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing spice and possessing cannabis.

Ms Alton said: “Following his release from a previous custodial sentence in 2016, Mr Kabel developed an addiction to spice. That drug has completely ruined his life. He was using £70 to £80 of spice per day. He started selling cocaine to a small circle of friends to fund his habit.

“The duration of the dealing was relatively shortlived and can be measured in months.”

Ms Alton said Kabel’s use of spice had also cost him his 19-year marriage and he was deeply sorry for the effect his drug-use had had on his family.

Jailing Kabel for 31 months, Judge Nicholas Barker said he was concerned about the defendant’s pro-criminal attitudes.

Judge Barker said: “You said you had no choice but to sell those drugs. You said to sell this cocaine was better than robbing someone.”