An offshore scaffolder who turned cocaine dealer to help rake in money during lockdown has been jailed.

When police raided Giles Lintott's address in Ramsgate they unearthed an operation so large it required an electronic money counter.

Lintott was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court after pleading guilty to supplying Class A drugs.

Judge Rupert Lowe told the 27-year-old: "We always seem to hear about the bad company in this court, but we never seem to meet the bad company.

"The bad company always seems to be other people.

"You were concerned in the supply of drugs, cocaine to customers, sending out advertising messages, receiving advertising messages asking you to supply drops.

"It is really, really regrettable you made that decision to become a drug dealer."

Lintott had a prosperous future employed as an offshore scaffolder in the north sea, working on wind turbines and oil rigs from 2018.

But when the pandemic hit he moved from Spain back to Kent and agreed to help a friend run drugs.

When officers raided their address in Herreton Road, Broadstairs, they discovered 112g of cocaine with a street value of around £9,000 in July.

Gloves, phones used for dealing, scales, two Rolex watches and a money counter was discovered, prosecutors explained.

"There is so much money going through there a money counter is needed to count it," Don Ramble explained for the prosecution.

"There is so much money going through there a money counter is needed to count it..."

But Lintott's lawyer argued he played a lesser role for a "limited" period after "finding himself at a loss."

Kerry Waite said: "As a result of the global pandemic the defendant returned from where he was living in Spain and returned to the UK.

"He found himself at a loss and took up with others, he dabbled with cocaine.

"He did wish to return home to his parents and was sofa surfing and mixing with people he was staying with from time to time at the address where he was offered the opportunity to assist, to enable and secure accommodation and secure his cocaine."

Lintoff, of Woodford Avenue, Ramsgate was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

His co-defendant, whose details weren't fully disclosed in court, was handed five years in an earlier hearing.