A DRUG dealer has been jailed for nearly six years after being convicted of trafficking for a third time.

Stephen Farnan, aged 41, of Acton Road, Burtonwood, was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison at Knutsford Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply ecstasy, cannabis and amphetamines, possession of cocaine and possession of a bladed weapon.

PC Neil Burdekin, of Cheshire Police, said: "We are very pleased with the sentence and are glad that the courts are coming down on repeat drug dealers.

"Some people see ecstasy as a recreational drug, but as we have all seen, it kills people."

PC Burdekin arrested Farnan in Grangeway Court, Runcorn, on September 1 last year after a routine search of his car uncovered the drugs, a knife and £340 cash.

Judge Merfyn Hughes, presiding, branded Farnan a "professional drug dealer" and said he would face a jail term of up to 10 years if he ever re-offended.