A DRUG dealer tried to throw cocaine over a garden fence but was immediately caught by police.

Liam Darvill was at an address in Hairbell Close, Billericay, when police broke down the door to raid the property of drugs.

The 30-year-old fled the house and attempted to run away down the road, throwing a bag of cocaine over a neighbour’s garden fence as he did so.

However, officers in pursuit almost immediately caught up to him and he was arrested, with the drugs being swiftly recovered.

Inside the home, hundreds of pounds in cash was discovered along with cannabis and mobile phones, with messages from drug users asking for deals.

Darvill, formerly of Basildon but now of Doddinghurst, Brentwood, was later charged and admitted possession of cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, as well as possessing criminal property.

He appeared via Skype at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

Mitigating, Mike Warren said that Darvill had become addicted to drugs and had amassed a large amount of debt from getting into the dealing industry.

He said: “His partner had left him as a result of the cocaine usage, things were spiralling downward.

“He has a seven year old daughter, and as a family they are now back together and have reconciled the difficulties they had.”

Judge Andrew Hurst told Darvill: “You were committing these offences for financial gain as you were homeless.

“You had a significant debt you tried to pay off. But it’s encouraging to see your drug debt has been paid off and that you have re-established your relationship.”

Darvill received a two-year suspended prison sentence, a thinking skills course and 20 days rehabilitation.