A Nelson drug addict caught out planning "social" dealing was told by a judge he was wasting his life and was asked if that was the way he wanted it to be.

Judge Norman Wright warned Axis Robertson, who faces seven years inside if he gets involved in supplying again, that his addiction could kill him and asked him: "Will it say Axis Robertson, drug dealer, on the gravestone? Is that the way you want to be remembered? Is that all you are worth?"

The defendant replied: "No."

The judge told Burnley Crown Court Robertson's case was depressing as he was stuck in the mire of the drug-taking community and the only way out was by his own efforts.

Robertson's counsel, who said opiates had been introduced into the defendant's home during his formative years, had urged the court to make a community order.

But the judge jailed Robertson for 30 months, saying he hoped it would be more structured for now.

The defendant, 31, of Chapelhouse Road, Nelson, admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply, last July.

It is his second such conviction and if he offends again he faces a minimum of seven years in prison.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, told the court plain clothes police in Nelson stopped Robertson who had a clingfilm ball containing wraps of brown powder.

Mr Williamson said Robertson told officers he had bought 10 wraps for £50 in Nelson town centre.

He denied intending to sell them. Charles Brown, defending, said Robertson planned to share two of the wraps with one other person.

The defendant had been in the thrall of his habit for a very long time but wanted to get rid of it.

He would not appear before the courts if he did not take drugs.

Mr Brown claimed Robertson was not a drug dealer and the intention to supply had been on a social rather than commercial basis.

He wanted to get out of the deep mire he had been in since his teenage years.