A BLACKBURN drug dealer who fled his home after spotting police turning up at his address has been jailed for more than three years.

After recovering drugs from Colin Hodkinson’s home, more was discovered when he was arrested at home nearly two months later.

In all, officers had seized nearly £800 worth of drugs.

Hodkinson, 39, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn was given a total of three years and three months jail at a Preston Crown Court hearing.

He had pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing cocaine and amphetamine with intent to supply, plus three simple drug possession charges.

David Macro, prosecuting, told the court that police executed a search warrant at the address last November. Crack cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis bush were all found.

The defendant was not found until January 3. He had apparently not gone back home on the earlier date because he had seen the police.

Martin Hackett, defending, said his client knew that a custodial term of some length would follow.

“It was low level involvement to fund his own drug use. He wasn’t living an extravagant lifestyle.”

Judge Michael Byrne told Hodkinson “You were a fool. You knew the police would come back and get you, yet you still persisted in your drugs”.