FIRST-TIME offender Shane Davis has been locked up for acting as a drugs runner.

The 20-year-old became involved in selling cocaine after building up debts to fund his extravagant lifestyle.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard Davis was arrested on May 22 last year, after police found cocaine and drugs paraphernalia in his car.

When interviewed he admitted acting as a runner for £100 a week.

Stuart Muldoon, defending, said: "By the age of 18 he was earning £1,400 a month and began to live what he thought was an exciting lifestyle.

"He became involved in using drugs himself and had taken out loans to finance his lifestyle.

"He has no previous convictions and custody is a terrifying prospect for him."

Davis, of Eden Close, Kidsgrove, admitted possessing a Class A drug with intent and supplying a Class A drug to another.

Judge Paul Glenn sentenced him to 20 months in a young offenders' institution.

He said: "I find your case a sad one. You are from a good home, you've held good jobs and you have no previous convictions.

"People like you enable dealers to operate effectively with less chance of being detected and prosecuted. You went into this with your eyes open, to make money."