A STREET dealer of cocaine made an impassioned plea for mercy after a court heard he sold drugs in order to provide for his young daughter.

Ramone Nelson, of Melwood Drive in West Derby and aged 28, appeared at Mold Crown Court on October 8 for sentencing.

He had previously been convicted for one offence of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug - cocaine - in Wrexham last year.

Nicola Williams prosecuting, told the court in July 2019 officers executed a warrant at an address where nelson lived with his partner.

Officers found three bags of white powder, a mobile phone and scales, as well as small amounts of other drugs.

The contents of the phone were downloaded and messages indicative of drug dealing in May, June and July of 2019 were found.

Ms Williams said more than 550 messages recovered show direct involvement in the supply of controlled substances.

At interview Nelson told police the items seized belonged to him and that he'd sold cocaine to friends.

Brendan Carville, defending, said: "He maintains those he sold drugs to were people he knew.

"His worry is that he is in the middle of proceedings regarding the custody of his child."

Mr Recorder Duncan Bould told Nelson: "During the late spring and summer of last year you, a user of cocaine, were engaged in selling it - street dealing.

"You indicate that one of your motives for selling drugs was to gain money to provide for your daughter, now 17-months-old.

"I am sure you now appreciate the fault in this decision.

"There were any number of other ways you could have provided for her.

"I am afraid that although I accept what you say regarding your concern about her, those considerations should have been uppermost in your mind then rather than now.

"Your thinking processes were undoubtedly flawed."

Mr Bould handed Nelson a jail sentence of two years.

Nelson the told the court: "I have had to fight so many things, I am finally in a good place.

"Please, if you could reconsider - I would do anything you want.

"This is so important for me. I am so sorry for what I have done."

Mr Bould replied: "I thought very carefully regarding the sentence I have imposed and whether or not there was a possibility that I could reflect what you say in not passing an immediate sentence.

"But this is very serous offending. You should have thought of that when you were selling drugs which, for all you knew, could have caused very serious harm to your customers."

Nelson must also pay a victim surcharge of £140.