FATHER-OF-TWO Ian Everill has been jailed for chauffeuring drug dealers around Stoke-on-Trent.

Everill, pictured below, picked up the dealers as they arrived at Stoke railway station from Liverpool, to ferry them across the city delivering heroin and cocaine.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday heard Everill, aged 35, of Knutton Road, Newcastle, was a heroin addict, who had run up a "substantial" debt.

Paul Spratt, prosecuting, said: "He was approached by two males about his drug debt and it was indicated he would have to help reduce it by driving them around."

Everill was spotted driving dealers around by officers working on Staffordshire Police's Operation Nemesis, on March 26 and May 22.

He admitted he did it about five times, and admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at an earlier hearing.

Mr Spratt said: "It's obvious the defendant knew what was going on. There were a number of agreed stops where drug users would come and make their purchases.

The court heard Everill had 17 previous conviction, but none for drugs offences.

Jason Holt, mitigating, said Everill would go to the station to buy heroin and during a three-month period was occasionally asked to drive the supplier around.

He said: "He's been battling a drug addiction for many years and over the last eight years has come a long way.

"He was brought up by his grandparents from the age of five and his addiction started following the death of his grandmother.

"He is in a stable relationship with his partner of 12 years and they have two daughters, aged 11 and four.

"He dearly loves his children, his partner and his grandfather, who he cares for.

"He played a very minor role in this."

Judge Granville Styler sentenced Everill to three years and four months in prison.

He said: "You were an essential cog in the supply chain of drugs.

"Unless there are people like you prepared to assist dealers from out-of-town, they couldn't operate the way they do."

The dealers Everill drove for – both from Liverpool – were also charged.

Philip Byrne was last week jailed for six-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply.

The other man, Anthony Caldwell, admitted the same offence, but failed to turn up to be sentenced last month. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.