An undercover police officer who bought wraps of crack cocaine and heroin snared a booze and drug-fuelled dog walker.
"Cuckooing" victim Ian Cowper met the man on a number of occasions to deliver class A drugs, as part of an undercover operation, in Darlington, Teesside Live reports.
The "vulnerable" 50-year-old was "subject to extreme violence" when his home was taken over by dealers, Teesside Crown Court heard.
In a number of alleged assaults, Cowper had his "hair set on fire" and had his feet sprayed with Lynx then set on fire.
The dealer who previously pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying class A drugs, appeared in the dock at the Middlesbrough court on Tuesday.
Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, told how the force had received "intelligence" regarding drug dealing in the Darlington area in 2019.
In March, an undercover officer contacted a male named "Ghost" for supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
'Ghost' said he would send a man to the rear of Halford's store, on Russell Street, with the drugs, Ms Lamballe said.
Cowper, who was walking his dog, arrived at the location "approached the officer" and handed over "two wraps in exchange for £30 in cash".
Then on another occasion, the undercover officer made contact again and the same location was set-up.
Cowper arrived at the location at around 6.40pm with a "single wrap of crack cocaine".
He was "given £20 in relation to that", the prosecutor added.
The dealer was arrested on April 11, 2019, and "denied any knowledge" of the offences stating he was "under the influence of drink and drugs".
Ms Lamballe told how Cowper has an "extensive record" and "has a drug addiction problem".
'Cuckooing victim'
John Turner, mitigating, confirmed the defendant has "problems with alcohol and drugs" but is not "heavily convicted" in regards to drug dealing.
The defence barrister outlined Cowper's circumstances at the time of the crimes and how he was a victim of "cuckooing".
Cuckooing is when drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person in order to use it as a base for county lines drug trafficking.
Cowper has lived at the address on Tom Raine Court for the last seven years which is provided by The Salvation Army.
Mr Turner said he has been "subject to extreme violence", had his "hair set on fire" and had his feet sprayed with Lynx then set on fire.
Teesside Crown Court also heard how Cowper's 18-year-old dog was "kicked and locked into a room" which he "found distressing".
Mr Turner described it as an "extreme situation" and Cowper as a "vulnerable" man.
He added that he is now on a methadone programme and taking "step to address underlying problems".
Judge Tim Stead imposed a 16 month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Cowper, of Tom Raine Court, Darlington, will also be subject to a two-year suspended sentence order and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He will also have an electronically monitored tag for 30 days from 8pm to 6am.
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