A DRUG dealer was caught when police were called to a car crash in Basingstoke.

Officers found cocaine and 69 tablets of the tranquiliser drug Phenazepam in John Mitchell’s Ford Focus, which had crashed into another vehicle in Priestley Road, on July 24 last year.

They also recovered two mobile phones with text messages containing references to dealing cannabis and ketamine, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Mitchell, 22, of Pelican Road, Pamber Heath, was in the dock for sentence, having admitted possession of cocaine, possession of Phenazepam with intent to supply, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis and ketamine.

The court heard that Mitchell, a paint sprayer, had already been dealt with at magistrates’ court for driving his Ford Focus that day while unfit through drugs.

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, said officers believed Mitchell may have been under the influence of drugs when they got to the crash scene.

She said: “What then followed was a search of John Mitchell and his vehicle. In the Ford Focus there was a bag that contained 69 tablets of Phenazepam, three wraps of cocaine and two mobile phones.

“Following that, Mitchell was arrested and taken back to the police station and interviewed.”

Karen Dempsey, defending, said Mitchell went into a “downward spiral” in 2013 when his girlfriend dumped him on the day she gave birth to their son.

She said he now wants to get his life back on track, and has started a new relationship and has been working as a paint sprayer for his father’s firm.

Recorder Jane Rowley sentenced Mitchell to 14 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with a supervision order, £500 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.