A COCAINE dealer who was caught with a knuckleduster when police raided a house in Winsford has been jailed. 

Lewis Ruddle, of Meadow Grove, was alone at the house on Wharton Bridge when police executed a warrant at the address on Friday, June 2, last year.

Officers found cocaine worth up to £5,260, and cannabis valued at £240.

They also found a knuckleduster, cash, and mobile phones, one of which he said was a ‘graft’ phone, which contained messages from his customers and suppliers.

The 24-year-old was arrested at the scene, and later admitted selling on the cocaine in smaller quantities to fund his own cannabis habit.

Ruddle was charged with one count each of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, and possession of a weapon.

After pleading guilty to all three charges, he appeared at Chester Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, January 29, where he was jailed for three years.

Following the sentencing, PC Wayne Thomas said: “We take the battle on drug dealing very seriously. Illegal drugs can have a devastating impact on not only those who use them, but also on entire communities.

“It is quite right that people who deal drugs can expect to receive a substantial custodial sentence, as this case demonstrates.

“We are doing all we can to stop drug activity on our streets to make Winsford a safer place to live, work, and visit, while also making it an extremely hostile place for criminals.

“But we would continue to urge anyone who believes this activity is happening in their community to contact us on 101 or through our website.”