A DRUG dealer who was only out of prison for five weeks has been sent back inside for offending again.

Thomas Warwick was discovered by police in Rochford by officers under Operation Raptor - who fight serious drug crimes in Essex - on December 2 last year.

The 29 year-old of Prospect Close, Southend, saw the officers at the same time they saw him, and he immediately fled the scene.

The officers chased him down and he was detained in a cul-de-sac.

Warwick was in possession of two phones, which were found to have links to a major drugs line in the Southend area known as the Maxwell line.

When the phones were examined, police found drug marketing messages on one of the phones offering drugs and rates to people.

A total of 3,162 messages were found to be sent out offering drugs to 761 recipients, 400 of which had sent replies.

Warwick was charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and for possessing criminal property as he was found with £480 in cash when arrested.

He was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court today.

Mitigating, Mike Warren said Warwick had received genuine threats of violence against him and in his previous prison term had been transferred to different locations due to the severity of the threats.

He also said Warwick had lost his mother at the age of eight and had a difficult upbringing.

Judge Samantha Cohen told Warwick: "You had been out of prison for five weeks on licence for identical offences and you had become embroiled in the world of Class A drugs.

"You are 29 years old and have made it your way of life.

"The longer you carry on, the longer will be the periods of time you spend in custody."

Warwick was jailed for five years and eight months.