AN addict caught hiding heroin in his mouth while walking his dog was a “drug delivery driver” to fund his habit.

Jason Allen has been spared jail after he was caught on multiple occasions in Basildon with heroin and cocaine.

The 38-year-old, of Hockley Road, admitted five counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin on Friday.

Allen was caught three times in possession of class A drugs in April and May. On April 3, he was found in a Peugeot eight wraps of cocaine and 13 of heroin.

A phone was also found showing information to send dealers about customers’ locations.

Initially, Allen claimed he didn’t know drugs were in the car, but later admitted the charges.

On April 23, he was spotted by officers walking his dog in Basildon at 3.30pm.

When Allen saw the officers, he spat out something from his mouth, which was revealed to be a single wrap of heroin.

The third incident saw Allen caught with 13 wraps on May 29 along with a phone linked to a county lines operation.

At court Allen was described as a delivery driver for the operation and was using the funds to pay for his own addictions.

Mitigating, Ian Clift said: “He has previous offences in 2015 and his addiction has been with him for most of his adult life. He relapsed through pressures of life, pressures of a relationship and was exploited by his dealers and was being used as a low level runner.

“He has been on a methadone reduction programme and as he stands before you today he is not on methadone.

“A few weeks ago he was attacked by prisoners in the showers in a case of mistaken identity, he had fractures to his face and shoulder.”

Judge Samantha Cohen said: “You relapsed at the beginning of this year. You played your part in the trade that devastates individual’s lives - it’s devastated yours - and it devastates the communities in which people live. You have taken every possible opportunity that’s been given to you to your advantage.”

Allen received a two year suspended sentence and must complete a 12 month drug rehabilitation programme.