A POLICE drugs sting set up in a shop led to a father who had stayed out of serious trouble for almost 10 years being arrested for dealing.

Edward Morris, 59, supplied cannabis and amphetamine sulphate to undercover officers at the store, called Magic Discs.

Now Morris, of St Albans Close, Gillingham, is serving a 16-month jail sentence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that police mounted Operation Gambler between May and December last year.

Jane Scotchmer, prosecuting, said Morris dealt drugs three times. On August 12, he supplied the undercover officer with about 482g of cannabis for £400. The drug had a street value of up to £650.

He returned on November 29 and supplied 9oz of cannabis for £200. The final time was on December 16 when he went in with a "young man" and 250g of cannabis was handed over for £200.

Miss Scotchmer said Morris was arrested. His home was searched and 120.94g of amphetamine, worth £600, was found in the fridge. Also seized was £2,000 from a safe and drugs equipment.

Morris admitted two charges of supplying drugs and one of being concerned in supplying.

David Bannacks, defending, said Morris previously had a long-standing addiction to amphetamine, but stopped using it.

He was then in a relationship with a woman 20 years younger than him. He started taking amphetamine again because his girlfriend was.

"He is unable to work," said Mr Bannacks. "He has a leg injury after being attacked with a baseball bat."

Morris had been drug-free while on remand in prison, despite being tempted by other inmates. He now wanted to live a straight life.

Judge Michael Lawson, QC, said it was a shame that Morris had re-offended because he had stayed out of trouble since 1997.

"I am not going to give you a lecture," he said. "You know you have messed up. Equally, you know I have got to pass a sentence that is more than 12 months."

Morris has spent almost five months in custody and can expect to be released within three months.