A student was ordered to help with class A drug dealing in Carlisle after his brother was shot and the family threatened.

Debt-ridden Guisat Henriet was sent from London by gangsters to work off his arrears at an address in Denton Holme earlier this year.

Carlisle Crown Court heard the 20-year-old made two trips, transporting illegal substances to city dealers before returning south with the takings.

Police enquiries led officers, on August 24, to a Randall Street address occupied by addicts.

"He (Henriet) was in the process of effectively disposing of a number of drugs," said prosecutor Beccy McGregor.

About £2,600 cash was found, together with 41 wraps of heroin, two crack cocaine wraps and cannabis.

Packaging and scales were located, along with three mobile phones - analysis of which proved crucial in establishing Henriet's criminal involvement.

Henriet later confessed he owed £2,000 to a gang member and drug dealer.

"He returned home from holiday to learn that his younger brother had been shot in the leg," said Ms McGregor.

Henriet discovered the perpetrator was the man to whom he owed money. "He told me it was a warning," Henriet admitted.

"He told me to contact another gang member. He said if I go to Carlisle to sell his drugs I can pay off my debts and the trouble will stop."

Henriet, who used cannabis but not class A drugs, became a courier. He did not deal any drugs which were transported, the court heard.

He later admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis, and possessing criminal property, in July and August.

The court heard he had no previous convictions. He had been due to start a university business studies course, was backed by supportive references and had penned an "articulate" letter to Judge James Adkin.

Kim Whittlestone, defending, said: "It is difficult to explain how he has found himself before the court in this way.

"He hopes to lead a law-abiding life."

Henriet, of Stanhope Street, London, was jailed for 27 months.

Judge Adkin concluded: "He accepts that the reason he was in Carlisle was that the drug debt would be reduced, and that there would be no more violence done to members of his family were he to go to Carlisle."