By Hayley Robinson

A Sittingbourne man has been jailed for 30 months after admitting cocaine offences and possessing a stun gun.

Stephen Charlton, 29, of Crown Quay Lane, pleaded guilty to counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and possessing a prohibited weapon when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday.

He was arrested following a drugs raid on his home in a joint operation involving the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team, the Mid Kent Uniformed Tactical Team (UTT) and the Tactical Support Group, based at Coldharbour.

Charlton received a two-year sentence for each of the two drugs charges to run concurrently, and a six month sentence to run consecutively for possessing a prohibited weapon.

Sgt Jason Hedges, of the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team, is pleased with the sentence.

He said: "Many people see cocaine as a solely recreational drug but the harsh fact is that it is a Class A controlled drug that ruins lives and the only people to profit from it are the dealers.

"Cocaine also has the potential to cause serious problems within our night-time economy and we are making it a priority to stamp out its use and come down hard on the people dealing in it.

"Charlton’s sentence should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone thinking of using or dealing in any illegal substance.

"The fact that he will also spend an extra six months in prison for possessing a stun gun shows how seriously the courts view owning this type of prohibited weapon."

BLOB Anyone who has any suspicions that drugs may be being dealt in their area is urged to call the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team on 01795 419119 or Kent Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.