A dad started dealing Class A drugs after getting into money troubles.
Carl Roughley, 36, had seven wraps of cocaine and £555 cash in his vehicle when he was caught by police carrying out a deal in Southport on January 19.
A search of his Brook Close home found a further 177 wraps weighing 103.4g, and £4,755 in cash.
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The dad-of-two pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs at Liverpool Crown Court today, December 5.
Judge Clement Goldstone heard how the single dad had turned to drug dealing after his relationship broke down in September 2021.
Mr O'Neill, defending, said: "(Roughley) readily accepts he got himself into this position out of financial desperation. There's no suggestion he was addicted to drugs or that he owed any drug debt, he just found himself struggling financially."
The judge said: "Until 2021, you lived a thoroughly decent, law abiding life. Your relationship broke down and you were in financial difficulties. It happens, unfortunately, to a lot of people. But not everybody, as you did, resolves to cure their financial difficulties by dealing drugs, and that's what you were doing, and that is why you must be punished.
"Nobody knows more than you the impact that will have on your family and your children in particular. It's a very sad state of affairs."
He handed down the minimum sentence of 28 months in prison, adding: "I hope this is the last occassion that you will appear before the court. That much, at least, you owe to your children."
Members of the gallery sobbed as he was taken down.
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