A father who turned to drug-dealing to get money to support his two young children has been jailed for three years.

Stephen Walkling was separated from the mother of his boys, aged six and four, and had sole care of them.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the 35-year-old qualified engineer was unemployed and could not afford the rent on his home.

Police questioned him in his VW Passat car in Station Road, Longfield, on September 13 last year after receiving a report of him acting suspiciously.

Prosecutor Keith Yardy said 9.4g of cannabis and a role of Clingfilm were found in the car. Checks revealed he had been banned for drink-driving.

After his arrest he admitted having 20 wraps of cocaine in his boxer shorts. A search of his home uncovered another 7.4g of cannabis.

“He fell into financial difficulty which led him into this offending. He suffered from depression. He resorted to selling drugs. He did it in order to support his family" - Louise Oakley, defending

Walkling, of London Road, Swanley, told officers had sold some of the wraps of cocaine and intended to sell the rest.

He pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine, possessing the drug with intent to supply, possessing cannabis and driving while disqualified.

He was banned for a further two years.

Louise Oakley, defending, said Walkling he had come to court with his head held low.

After the breakdown of his relationship with his veterinary nurse partner he became unemployed. He was the primary carer for the children.

“He fell into financial difficulty which led him into this offending,” said Miss Oakley. “He suffered from depression. He resorted to selling drugs. He did it in order to support his family.

“He is not a habitual user of cocaine. The consequences will be very significant indeed. There is going to be a massive upheaval. The court will say he has brought it on himself.”

Judge Jeremy Carey told Walkling: “You were smoking cannabis and in possession of a significant quantity of cocaine. You were dealing and had been for some time.

“You were in the position where you had responsibility for your children. Nonetheless, you were using prohibited drugs and, much more seriously, trading in them for profit.

“Being in financial difficulties is no excuse for crossing the line by exploiting others and maximising earnings with this pernicious and socially corrosive substance.”

The judge said Walkling would for a time leave the care of his two little boys.

“They will undoubtedly be the worse for not having your care, although you have demonstrated a poor role model,” he added.

After sentencing, PC Elizabeth Kirkham said: "Walkling was stopped and searched by officers thanks to the vigilance of residents who reported suspicious activity involving his vehicle.

"He was dealing in Class A drugs whilst driving when disqualified and the dangers Walkling posed have been reflected in the sentence passed by the courts.

"I only hope he will use his time in prison to reflect on his actions and also consider the corrosive effects that drugs can have on the local community."