A MAN caught trying to deal crack cocaine in Chester by plain-clothes police officers has been jailed.

Luke White, 24, of Desmond Close, Beechwood, Prenton, was spotted dealing the class A drug on May 30, 2019.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, September 2, White – who had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity – was jailed for 28 months.

Prosecuting, Anna Price said plain-clothes police officers were in Handbridge when they saw White and three other men, with White having a plastic bag in his hand.

Police went to arrest White and he tried to get away on his bike, shouting at the other men to pick up a bag he had dropped.

An officer had to place White in a headlock to get him under control.

White was found to have 14 wraps of crack cocaine on him, a total of 0.92g, valued at £140, plus £157.85 in cash and a mobile phone.

Investigators were unable to get any evidence of drug dealing from the phone.

Defending, Neil Gunn said a number of positive references had been put forward for White, including from his partner and employer.

He was a man who was not only of previous good character, but a positive one.

He had been pressured into drug-dealing as he had built up an £8,000 cannabis debt, and there had been threats to him and his family.

The offence happened 16 months ago and White had not been in trouble since.

Given the mitigation, the defence solicitor said it would be "unusual" if the prison sentence could be suspended, but "these were unusual times".

White had shown genuine remorse and had "learned his lesson".

Judge Simon Berkson said there was a financial motive to White's offending and, despite his previous positive good character, only immediate custody was appropriate.

As well as the 28-month prison sentence, the crack cocaine and mobile phone were to be forfeited and destroyed, while the cash was confiscated.