A SOUTHAMPTON man, said to act as a principal runner for a city-based drugs network, has been jailed for three years.

Ian Dolman, 46, was arrested after selling crack cocaine and heroin to an undercover police officer making test purchases in a major Hampshire police initiative to rid the streets of drug-related crime.

Dolman, of Golden Grove, admitted ten charges of supplying the hard drugs on seven occasions in April.

Prosecutor Tom Wright told the city crown court how Dolman dealt with an undercover officer who was known as ‘Ivan’, firstly in Hoglands Park, where the officer noticed that other people were waiting.

Dolman was carrying 40 wraps, distributing nine to a woman and six to a man before handing over three to ‘Ivan’.

The court heard that the officer later made another purchase in Hoglands Park but it was mostly carried out at the Itchen Bridge.

Dolman, Mr Wright added, received drugs in return for acting as a runner.