A DEALER sold drugs 40 miles away from his home to pay off a debt and keep his family safe, a court heard.

Tobi Akintimehin appeared at Basildon Crown Court yesterday after admitting trying to sell Class A drugs.

The 25-year-old was confronted by police on August 2, 2019 in Warrior Square car park in Southend.

Police had seen activity near Akintimehin’s car and suspected drug dealing was taking place. The car park is close to a skate park.

At his sentencing hearing yesterday, Oliver Kirk, prosecuting, said: “People were seen coming and going from the vehicle and police had the suspicion that drugs might be being supplied.

“They found in the search in the vehicle a rucksack with a blue bag with seven wraps of drugs within, and the defendant was arrested.

“A further six wraps fell out of the leg of the trousers that he was wearing.”

Mr Kirk said that Akintimehin was 40 miles away from his home in Windsor Road, Enfield when dealing the drugs, and that he also had £275 in cash on him.

In total, 1.62 grams of diamorphine (heroin) was recovered and 0.17g of crack cocaine, with a street value of £170.

Akintimehin admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs..

Mitigation for Akintimehin said that he was remorseful and “ashamed” of his actions but had taken responsibility to address them and had not offended since the incident.

The court was told the amount of drugs found was low, and that Akintimehin had carried out the dealings because he needed to pay off a debt.

The court heard a close friend had been fatally stabbed, and Akintimehin had turned to drugs, with £300 owed to a dealer.

Mitigation said that Akintimehin had been scared for what would happen to his family if he didn’t pay off the debt, which is why he did not call the authorities over the issue.

Recorder Adrian Eissa QC told Akintimehin: “It’s by the skin of your teeth and good fortune that I am not going to send you immediately to prison.”

Akintimehin received two years in jail suspended for two years and 250 hours work.