A man has been jailed after pleading guilty to dealing cocaine and heroin.

James Buckthorpe, aged 50, of Hollicombe Close, Tilehurst was sentenced on Thursday, March 28 after he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled class A drug – namely crack cocaine and heroin and one count of fail to surrender.

On March 23 last year, a Vauxhall Corsa, which Buckthorpe was driving, was stopped for a search under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A mobile phone and around £425 in cash was found in Buckthorpe’s jacket. Following an enhanced search, four wraps of crack cocaine and eights wraps of heroin were located, with a combined street value of around £240.

Buckthorpe was arrested on the same day and was charged on September 16 last year.

He then failed to appear at court, and was arrested for failing to surrender on January 16 this year.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jon Nicholls, based at Reading police station, said: “Thames Valley Police does not tolerate the supply of drugs and Buckthorpe has been sentenced as a result.

“I hope this sentence shows the seriousness with which drug dealing is taken.

“We work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice and take these drugs off our streets.

“The information from the public around the drug supply offences in Reading plays an important role in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation.

“Anyone with information about drug dealing can contact us by calling 101 or by making a report online.

“If you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and they will take your information 100% anonymously.”

Buckthorpe has been sentenced to a total of two years and five months in prison at Reading Crown Court.

He also had to forfeit and destruction of drugs and phone seized and forfeit £425 in cash.