A DRUG dealer who worked as a handyman by day but peddled deadly drugs on the side has been jailed for five years. Jobbing joiner David Dixon gave the appearance of a hardworking tradesman running his own business. But the 38-year-old was hiding a sinister secret and when police struck in a raid, he was exposed as a dealer selling a full range of potentially deadly drugs to order. Now he is behind bars as proceedings begin to confiscate his ill-gotten gains. Acting Chief Insp Sheila Foggo, of Newcastle Area Command, said: “We will not tolerate the small minority who attempt to bring misery to neighbourhoods by dealing in drugs and committing crime. “This sentence reflects how seriously the courts take these types of offences. “We would always encourage people to come forward and let us know about problems or concerns they have and we will take positive action.” Newcastle Crown Court heard officers discovered stockpiles of the cocaine, Ecstasy, amphetamine and cannabis Dixon had been supplying. They also recovered £8,000 in cash. And Dixon, from Tanfield Road, Scotswood, went on to confess he had been selling drugs for six months before the raid last July and pocketing £300 a week from the dealing. Dixon pleaded guilty to four charges of possessing cocaine, Ecstasy, cannabis and amphetamine with intent on July 20 last year. He also admitted eight charges of supplying the drugs. His defence barrister, Jamie Adams, had previously told the court that Dixon had never been in trouble before. He said: “He is a man of hitherto good character.” He claims part of the £8,000 cash seized from his home was legitimate money from his joinery job he had set aside to pay tax, the court heard. A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act has been scheduled for the summer. A judge will establish what Dixon made from his dealing and how much can be recovered. | 
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