An Aberystwyth heroin dealer who carried on supplying despite being arrested and bailed has been jailed for four and a half years.

James Anthony Foulston, 23, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin between 3 October and 20 December.

Foulston, of no fixed address, also admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply on 9 October and 29 December.

Stephen Rees, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court how on 9 October police noticed several known heroin users congregating in Cambrian Place, Aberystwyth.

They kept watch and saw Foulston arrive. He was stopped and immediately confessed to having four wraps of heroin between his buttocks.

Foulston was arrested and released on bail - described as a mistake by Judge Geraint Walters.

On 29 December paramedics and police were called to a flat in Bath Street where a woman lay unconscious having taken heroin.

Foulston was also there and officers discovered “a huge amount of heroin”.

Mr Rees said they found a total of 74 grams with a street value of £9,346 and £326 in cash.

Meanwhile, an examination of Foulston’s phone revealed “many, many text messages both coming and going relating to drugs activity”.

Foulston’s barrister, Paul Hobson, said he had been addicted to heroin since he was a teenager and accepted he had been taking “a crazy” amount on a daily basis.

“He now believes that being arrested and put into custody saved his life," added the barrister.

“He was not working and had no fixed accommodation and was dealing to fund his own habit.”

Judge Walters said the police had had enough evidence to charge Foulston on 9 October and should not have granted him bail.

However, he was sure that the people of a university town like Aberystwyth would be pleased to see police targeting users of Class A drugs.

Following sentencing, Det Sgt Steven Jones said: "Tackling the issue of drugs supply in our communities is a priority for Ceredigion police.

“I hope this will serve as a warning to others who wish to bring drugs into the Ceredigion area that it will not be tolerated. This result will go a long way towards keeping our communities safe."