TWO drug dealers who cruised the streets in a hire car, selling low purity heroin and crack cocaine to desperate addicts, have been jailed for a total of eight years.

Driver Mark Leach, 42, and passenger Nicholas Simpson, 24, were stopped by officers in November 2013 and found to be in possession of wraps and heroin, crack and a bundle of cash, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Officers found 60 "street deal" wraps of heroin and 59 of crack cocaine, with a street value of just under £1,000.

Simpson - now known as Nicholas Wotton - went on to commit an almost identical offence a year later while on bail and was jailed yesterday for five years after admitting drug dealing charges.

The court heard that dealers higher up the chain were directing the pair who could be considered to be "at the bottom of the chain".

Leach, of Sutton Crescent, Tyersal, Bradford, who had denied two counts of possessing drugs but was convicted after a trial, was jailed for three years, ten months.

His barrister, George Hazel-Owram, said telephone evidence heard in court suggested he did not have a "managerial function" in the drug dealing operation.

Leach, he said, had recently battled to come off heroin and was now free of the drug for the first time in 15 years.

He has a partner of 22 years, and a son and daughter, and has hopes of one day becoming a volunteer working with addicts.

Abigail Langford, for Simpson, said his mother had written a note to the court which Judge Mark Savill described as "heart rending."

Mrs Simpson, the mother of the defendant, had become sole provider of childcare to her son's two young children.

"She is bringing them up on his behalf and is doing it herself," said Ms Langford.

Judge Savill replied: "I hope he is aware he owes her a very great deal indeed. Such generosity of spirit has not been repaid by his behaviour."

He described the pair's crimes as "very serious matters involving the possession with the intent to supply heroin and cocaine".

Leach was "foolish enough to conduct a trial when the evidence was very strong," the judge added.

Simpson, of Nunroyd, Cleckheaton, had been "sensible enough to plead guilty".

After being caught, Leach had done everything he could to rid himself of heroin which the judge said had "blighted your life and that of your family".

Simpson had claimed that he carried out the second drug dealing offence in fear of threats from people he owed money to.

"That was a situation of your own making," the judge noted.

He said the men's offences amounted to "significant street dealing".

Judge Savill said he bore in mind the letter from Mrs Simpson and, "as an act of mercy", was able to reduce the sentence to one of five years imprisonment.

Both men are expected to be subject to Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.