A HEROIN addict inadvertently tipped off the police about drug dealing activity by shouting “It’s a raid!” towards a property while he was being searched in the street.

Richard Tuck, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court that on February 6, at around noon, police officers saw Dean Bennett leaving a property in Gainsborough Road, in Black Dam, Basingstoke, with another man, and they then conducted a drugs search.

Mr Tuck said: “They found one wrap of heroin on him. While he was being searched, he turned back to the property he had come from and shouted ‘Lisa, it’s a raid!’, which then prompted the police to carry out a search of that property”.

Officers found another wrap of heroin belonging to 44-year-old Bennett in the property.

Bennett was sentenced alongside Adrian O’Leary, 35, who was discovered in the property by the police.

Bennett pleaded guilty to possession of class A drugs and O’Leary admitted being in possession of criminal property.

Defending O’Leary, of The Square, Basingstoke, Barry McElduff said his plea was on the basis that one of two other men in the room had put money in his bag, and he had chosen not to tell the police.

Mr McElduff said: “It was not the right decision, but there are potential consequences for someone who informs upon drugs dealers.”

Louise Howard, defending Bennett, of Gainsborough Road, said: “He has a long-standing heroin addiction.”

She added that Bennett had been engaging with drug and alcohol support service Jacobs House, in Basingstoke, and has been testing clean in recent drugs tests.

She said: “He has cancer and is having radiotherapy every Tuesday, but he is reluctant to bring it up. He has found employment with a window fitter’s and is currently on a three-month probation period.

“There is a glimmer of hope. He took a degree in prison and he is doing an online course in astrophysics.”

Judge Paul Dunkels imposed a community order of four months on O’Leary, with a curfew of between 9pm and 7am, and imposed a community order of three months on Bennett, with the same curfew time. He also wished Bennett well with his studies in astrophysics.