A MAN who dealt heroin on a commercial basis has been jailed for three and a half years.

Saqib Khan was caught by chance in possession of a ball of heroin, which could have been worth up to £1,600 on the streets.

He later claimed to have earned thousands of pounds from drug dealing and having supplied for five years.

But Preston Crown Court was told that he seemed to have exaggerated his story.

Khan, 21, of Audley Range, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to one charge of supplying heroin over a month long period last year and one charge of possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Khan was arrested on November 1 last year in the Queens Park Road area, on suspicion of robbery.

Miss Jo Shepherd, prosecuting, said the defendant was searched and found to have a cellophane wrapped ball of heroin.

Khan said he bought it for £450 and that it would have been worth up to £1,600 if sold in wraps.