A drug dealer has been sentenced to six years in prison after assaulting two police officers who found him carrying a stash of cocaine and heroin.

Homeless and unemployed 26-year-old Andrew Lloyd Grant was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court following an incident on March 7.

Grant, a known drug dealer, was at Chatham train station when he was stopped by two undercover police officers.

The officers managed to detain him but during the arrest both were bitten on the hand. One officer was bitten so hard it pierced the skin and drew blood.

Police searched Grant and found several plastic wraps containing heroin and cocaine and a wad of cash.

They also discovered Grant was on licence for a previous offence.

He was charged with drug offences, causing ABH to one police officer, and assaulting the other police officer.

At Maidstone Crown Court Grant received concurrent sentences of five years and four months for each drug offence, and four months for assault of a police officer. He was also sentenced consecutively for one year for ABH of a police officer resulting in a total sentence of six years and four months.

Grant will also serve a further 147 days because of a previous conviction.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Allan Thomson said: “This has been a very pleasing result. Grant is a person who is a known drug dealer in the area and has previous for both drug offences and for assaulting police.

“It is good news for members of the public who don’t have to encounter the likes of Grant plying their trade in public places. "The sentence should also serve as a warning to those who engage in the supply of drugs, that the only outcome from such activity will be a long-term stint in a jail cell.”