A CRACK cocaine dealer was caught on camera bagging up illegal wares for sale.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how James Alexander Bell’s life was “turned upside down” by the sudden and tragic death of his partner in January, 2018.

On the morning of June 8 this year, he was asleep at an address in Brampton when police attended in connection with an unrelated matter.

“They conducted a search,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson.

“During that they located a bag of crack cocaine which was found in the front bedroom of the premises - the bedroom being used by Mr Bell.

Handwritten “debtors’ lists” were recovered along with a quantity of snap-seal freezer bags, £115 cash and a mobile phone.

On that device, police discovered a “text bomb” message advertising the sale of drugs.

“That was sent to a number of people, 68,” said Mr Rogerson.

“In addition there were messages found from others to Mr Bell.”

These made coded reference to requests for cocaine.

A notebook containing another debtors’ list was also found at Bell’s home address, along with a micro SD card.

“This contained video clips showing Mr Bell sitting on a bed, cutting up plastic wrapping, apparently using any preparing controlled substances (for onward supply),” Mr Rogerson told the court.

Bell, a man with 33 convictions for 111 offences, made no comment when quizzed by police.

Josh Bowker, mitigating for Bell, pointed to a gap in his client’s offending between 2012 and 2017.

But then came his partner’s sudden death last year.

“His drug use exacerbated and he began supplying to clear a debt,” said Mr Bowker.

“Footage of him bagging up the drugs was put there by the people he was clearing the debt for.”

Bell - a qualified plumber and roofer, of Kingwater Close, Brampton - admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.

He was jailed for 32 months.

His is the latest in a series of convictions for drug supply offences in north and west Cumbria in recent months. Police have appealed for anyone with information about drug dealing to contact officers on 101 to highlight their suspicions. Details can also be left with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.