A dad who ran a drugs line has shown a judge the price he has paid for his involvement in the illicit trade.

Enoch Banga was asked by his barrister to raise his right hand to reveal two missing fingers and a thumb - the result of two shootings.

Judge Julian Smith was told the 28-year-old - who ran a county line network in Ashford - had twice been shot as punishment for losing drugs.

Banga was initially reluctant to reveal his injury but agreed after being coaxed by his defence barrister Ben Hargreaves.

His lawyer told Maidstone Crown Court: "The stark and very ugly truth is that this man from the age of 15 became involved in a criminal drugs gang.

"His mother died from cancer and his father committed suicide after the death of his sister.

"In 2017 he was shot twice, in April and then in July. I have no wish to cause him any embarrassment, but I would like him to stand up and raise his right hand."

After the shooting Banga and his partner moved to Swanley in 2022 but "the gang caught up with him," he added.

The court heard how his home was burgled and he was then threatened when he tried to get out of the gang.

Banga, who now lives in Muswell Hill, North London, was facing a minimum seven-year prison term because he has two previous offences for drug dealing.

He also faced sentence for offences dating back to 2016 for possessing stolen designer clothes and having 180 counterfeit £50 notes in 2019.

Prosecutor Laurence Imrie revealed how Banga ran the "Tel" drugs line in Ashford and when officers raided the home he shared with his child and pregnant partner, they discovered £2,500 worth of cocaine and heroin and £5,000 in cash.

'Banga is a repeat offender who has clearly shown a complete disregard for the law...'

Judge Smith told him he would take a merciful course because of the hand injury and the fact the earlier drugs offences were committed when he was a teenager.

Instead he was sent to prison for a total of five years and two months.

Detective Constable Bex Kemp, who led the investigation, said: "Banga is a repeat offender who has clearly shown a complete disregard for the law.

"The suffering and devastation dealers like him cause to individuals, their families and to local communities is often far reaching.

"Thankfully, the courts have passed a significant sentence, which reflects the seriousness and impact of his actions.

"This is another important and welcome success for our dedicated county lines teams, but I would also like to stress that it remains important that residents continue to play their role in helping us keep communities safe, so please remember to always report any suspicious behaviour."