A judge spelled out the disastrous effects of drug-dealing on Bradford's streets when he jailed a dealer for five years today.

Judge Peter Benson said: "Here in Bradford, and also in Keighley, we have a particular problem with heroin and crack cocaine being supplied on the streets."

He said the effects of the trade were disastrous, with addicts committing crimes to feed their habit.

Judge Benson, sitting at Bradford Crown Court, jailed John Dowson, 46, for nine offences of possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and supplying the drugs.

The offences spanned six months, from October last year to March. The court heard Dowson was caught street dealing and peddling drugs from his home in Harewood Street, Barkerend, Bradford.

He admitted the offences on October 4 and the case was adjourned for probation and psychiatric reports.

The court heard Dowson was arrested on October 3 last year after drugs officers saw him dealing in Leeds Road, Bradford. He put down a package in an alleyway and it was found to contain wraps of heroin and crack cocaine.

Police searching his home seized more drugs, scales, plastic bags and £235. In all, drugs with a street value of £640 were found. Prosecutor Ewan McLaughlin said Dowson was arrested and bailed.

On February 21, police watching Dowson's home witnessed him dealing drugs. Heroin and crack cocaine with a £660 street value were seized from the property along with drug-dealing equipment and £138. Dowson was arrested and bailed again.

On March 1 he supplied heroin to an undercover police officer. He told police he had been threatened by a dealer and was selling the drugs to pay off a debt. He said his own addiction cost him £60 a day and he was selling up to £600 of drugs a day.

Ian Howard, for Dowson, said Dowson planned to move away from Bradford and start afresh when he was released from jail. In 1997, Dowson was jailed for two years for possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and supplying them.

Judge Benson ordered that the £363 seized from Dowson's home was used by West Yorkshire Police towards investigating drugs crime. The judge ordered the destruction of the seized drugs and equipment.