Heroin dealer Gary O'Hare jailed for five years
A Middlesbrough building contractor who sold heroin to pay off debts has been jailed for five years.
Gary O'Hare was caught with £12,000-worth of the Class A drug when police raided his girlfriend's home in Brancepeth Avenue, in September 2010.
O'Hare, of Holdenby Drive, admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply at Teesside Crown Court.
Judge Michael Taylor told O'Hare that he had been dealing in a trade that brought "misery".
Prosecutor Michael Bosomworth said text messages on O'Hare's mobile phone showed that he was high up the chain and was dealing large amounts, not just wraps to addicts.
He said: "We are dealing here with significant quantities, and not street deals."
Martin Scarborough, defending, said O'Hare had a £13,000 debt, and had been working seven days a week to pay it off to protect himself and his family.
But the judge told O'Hare: "This is a miserable trade in this area which causes others to commit crime and huge misery."