A DEALER who was found with £700 worth of cocaine in his Gucci man bag claimed he only sold drugs to people he knew.

Elliott Rooney said he took to flogging Class As to fund his own habit, which would see him consume £30 worth of cannabis a day and up to £100 worth of cocaine on weekends.

The 21-year-old, who has three previous convictions in relation to drug dealing but has never been to prison, was stopped by officers after he was recognised travelling in the back of a taxi.

A search was conducted and 17 snap bags containing a white powder, later confirmed to be cocaine with a street value of £720, was found. His home was also visited and £1,000 was found in the pocket of his coat.

Officers also located several items of designer clothing inside his home, though his defence barrister argued he did have a job so could have been purchased through legitimate means.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Rooney had since moved away from the Accrington area and had found a more stable life in Liverpool, away from those who first got him into drug use.

Rooney, formerly of Worsley Street, was jailed for two years suspended for 18 months.

As a part of that sentence he must complete a 30 rehabilitation order, a six month drug rehabilitation requirement and must undertake 180 hours of unpaid work.