POLICE arrested a drug-dealer after being tipped off by an ambulance worker who saw him acting suspiciously, a court was told.

Kevin Freeman was working as a Big Issue seller in Southampton when he was searched by officers, who found nine one gram bags of cannabis and £290 in cash.

Freeman, 48, of Argyle Road, Southampton, appeared at the city’s crown court and admitted possession with intent to supply.

Siobhan Linsley, prosecuting, said police were called after an ambulance worker witnessed a series of transactions involving three men who approached the defendant.

In each case, she said, Freeman handed over a small package after being given money.

The court heard that the defendant had 34 previous convictions, including 12 for drug-related matters, and had served two prison sentences.

Richard Martin, defending, said Freeman was often bullied because of his size and appearance.

He told the court: “My client has had a difficult life and can properly be described as a vulnerable defendant. He is someone who finds life a struggle.”

Recorder Frank Abbott told Freeman: “I could send you to prison but you would come out and start selling cannabis again.”

The defendant received an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also handed a community order that included a requirement to complete a drug rehabilitation course.

In 2012 Freeman was jailed for almost three years at the crown court after being caught selling drugs to friends and acquaintances to fund his own habit.

The court heard how Freeman was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped by police.

Officers found £300 in cash, a phone and a cannabis joint that Freeman admitted was his. They went on to search his house and recovered cannabis with a street value of up to £185, plus electronic scales and a grinder.

Freeman was bailed but two months later police searched his home again and found up to £265 of the drug, the court was told.

The defendant admitted two counts of possessing a class B drug with intent to supply.

Jailing him for 33 months, Judge Gary Burrell QC said he found it “astonishing” that Freeman had committed a further offence despite being on bail.