A DRUG dealer faces a prison sentence of seven years after he was caught pedalling class A drugs – for a fourth time.

Appearing before Swindon Crown Court via video link from Bristol prison, Derek Walcott, 40, formerly of Bishopdown, Salisbury, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between May and September this year.

He also admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine after he was found with 250g of crack on September 14, and possession of £4,053 made from selling drugs.

Judge Jason Taylor QC noted the former Swindon man was subject to a mandatory seven-year prison sentence – for the second time.

He told defence advocate Rob Ross: “I have to say I’m struggling to see what benefit a pre-sentence report would have.”

Mr Ross replied: “Something happened a couple of years ago, which I’m not going to go into right now, which unfortunately triggered this reoffending.”

A pre-sentence report had been ordered by the magistrates although the probation service hadn’t been able to prepare one.

Judge Taylor said: “I will adjourn for a pre-sentence report for two reasons. One, the fact that he was effectively expecting to have one and it’s not his fault that he hasn’t. Second, over all something may have happened that’s dragged him back into this type of offending and of course it’s right the court is aware of that. I make it plan this has to be custody. It will be a significant sentence.”

Walcott will be sentenced on November 5. He was remanded in custody.

The drug dealer has a long history with the Swindon courts.

In 2003, he was sent down for four years after he was caught trying to sell more than £1,700 worth of crack at the Blundson Little Chef restaurant. He had been addicted to the drug, spending £100 a day on the habit.

Seven years later, in 2010, he was jailed for seven years and two months. A year earlier he had been found by police with heroin worth an estimated £60,000 on the street along with almost £12,000 cash. A year after he was jailed, a Swindon judge ordered he hand over a Porsche Cayenne, Rolex watch and cash seized by the police – together worth around £26,000.

Then, in 2014, he was picked up for supplying crack and heroin. He was arrested after police issued an appeal following Operation Harness, then Wiltshire Police’s biggest ever set of drugs raids with 400 officers executing 60 warrants.