A middle-aged drug addict who was caught dealing in a park close to families with children at a funfair has been jailed for just over three years.

A plain clothes police officer spotted Steven Burns on his bike in Mote Park in Maidstone on June 1 this year.

He used his mobile phone and then approached a known Class A drug user.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor the officer arrested 51-year-old Burns and found he had two wraps of heroin and £82 cash.

“The packaging was unusual in the sense the heroin was loose in it as though it had been done quickly,” Mr Taylor told Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

Burns, of Falmouth Place, Tonbridge, claimed: “Look, I was serving up before but I stopped a while ago.

"I got myself out of it. I came to the park to have a smoke.”

But his phone told a different story. It contained texts offering to supply drugs.

One said he was going to London and would be back with some “dark”, a term used for heroin, the next day.

There were also messages from him pleading with a dealer for time to pay debts.

"Burns was operating just yards from families and children who had been visiting the park to enjoy the funfair and it was clear he was involved in a set up to supply Class A drugs to a network of people..." - Chief Inspector Ray Quiller

Burns, who admitted possessing drugs and offering to supply them, was recalled to prison for other offending.

Peter Alcock, defending, said Burns had been on “an upward curve” until May this year.

“Having been clean for 20 years, he had a relapse,” he added.

Passing a sentence of three years and two months, Judge Philip St John-Stevens said: “You had become addicted to drugs and there was a debt to pay.

"You know the effect of Class A drugs better than anyone.”

Chief Inspector Ray Quiller said: "Burns was operating just yards from families and children who had been visiting the park to enjoy the funfair and it was clear he was involved in a set up to supply Class A drugs to a network of people.

"Criminals like Burns wrongly believe they can operate with impunity in areas such as Maidstone.

"Dealers should know we have our eyes and ears everywhere and this sentence is another example of just how effective my officers continue to be in tackling and detecting those who try to sell drugs in this town.

"I can assure residents we will continue to make Maidstone a hostile environment for anyone involved in this criminality, but please also remember to let us know straight away if you see anything suspicious.

"Call 999 if it is a crime in progress, otherwise contact 101."