A man caught red-handed selling drugs by undercover police officers was doing so to help pay fines imposed for previous offences, a court was told.

Michael Semedo, 29, was spotted by officers interacting with addicts in Sackville Close, Great Yarmouth, in a known hotspot for drug dealing.

Norwich Crown Court heard that as police approached Semedo he ran, prompting a pursuit during which he "discarded something from his pocket".

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) Oliver Haswell, prosecuting, said when stopped Semedo was found "with a number of wraps" of controlled drugs as well as £160 in cash.

Mr Haswell said the cocaine and heroin found amounted to 97 street deals.

Semedo had a number of compensation orders as well as large amount of costs imposed on him following a magistrates court hearing in May.

This followed an earlier conviction for charges, including assaulting an emergency worker and assault with intent to resist arrest.

The court this week was told Semedo, who had a Portuguese interpreter, had been selling drugs on July 2 to "earn cash to pay off the debt".

Semedo, of Devonshire Road, Yarmouth, admitted possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine.

Michael SemedoMichael Semedo (Image: Norfolk Police) Jailing him for a total of three years, Judge Andrew Shaw said he was caught "red-handed" with "a substantial quantity of cocaine and heroin".

He said: "Selling controlled drugs of class A is so serious only an immediate sentence of imprisonment can be justified".

Judge Shaw also warned Semedo that he should not in future commit criminal offences to try and pay court costs. 

John Morgans, mitigating, said those on the frontline of drug supply, the "foot soldiers", were "highly visible and highly disposable".

He said Semedo, who has spent time in custody away from his partner and two young children has also received a "serious diagnosis" regarding his health.

He said Semedo was "ashamed to play a role in the misery he sees around him in custody".