A father-of-three who was caught dealing drugs for the second time after travelling from London to Medway has been jailed for just under six years.

Nilton Benguela ran off and ditched a package when police officers spotted him in Chatham on March 7 last year.

He was caught and the package was recovered and found to contain 15 wraps of cocaine and two of heroin.

He also had cash on him and a “dirty” phone for drug-dealing, Maidstone Crown Court was told.

The 34-year-old warehouse worker, of Claribel Road, Stockwell, south east London, denied possessing the drugs with intent to supply, but was convicted. He had admitted possessing them.

Benguela had previously been jailed for two years for dealing in cocaine and heroin in Chatham. He was released in late 2015.

Charlieann Sherriff, defending, said south London born Benguela obtained a diploma at advanced level in electronic engineering and then studied music.

But he was influenced by “negative associates” and was sent to prison.

His partner later suffered a miscarriage and he became involved in drugs again. He was himself addicted to Class A drugs.

“He is disappointed and upset he now leaves his partner to raise three children and will be absent for some time,” said Miss Sherriff.

“His youngest child is just five weeks old.”

Passing a sentence of five years and nine months on Thursday, Judge Philip St John-Stevens said: “I am sure you travelled from London to the Medway towns to sell drugs for financial gain.

“You are clearly an intelligent man who also works. You are a father and have responsibilities. “

The judge added: “Those individuals who take a commercial decision to come and deal in drugs on the street should expect a significant sentence. Class A drugs wreck people’s lives.”