A DRUG dealer who sold crack cocaine and heroin to an undercover police officer acted out of fear and was a victim of modern slavery, a court heard.

Kenneth Blinkho, 33, has remained in prison for 16 months awaiting sentence after he admitted supplying Class A drugs to a police officer.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the undercover officer acquired the telephone number of a drugs line in October 2019.

He met with Blinkho on two separate days in Clacton, purchasing heroin and cocaine.

Barry Gilbert, mitigating in court yesterday, said his client had remained locked up at HMP Norwich for an “awfully long time”

awaiting the conclusion of the case.

He said: “Mr Blinkho is a longterm user of drugs, he was with his sister in her flat and he was essentially being cuckooed.

“We considered for quite some time as to whether a trial should be run on the basis there was some kind of duress, but eventually for all sorts of reasons we decided a guilty plea was the right way forward.

“As time goes on it becomes a matter of pragmatism, with him sitting inside for longer than he was possibly going to.”

Cuckooing is a term used to describe the act of dealers taking over the home of their vulnerable victim to serve as a base.

Mr Gilbert said it was accepted his client was a victim of modern day slavery.

Blinkho, of Elm Road, Clacton, admitted three counts of supplying Class A drugs, on the basis he was threatened and coerced into doing so.

The court heard he was threatened with a knife by another dealer.

Recorder Antony Dunne said: “I am going to pass sentence today which allows for your immediate release.”

Blinkho was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment but will be released from custody as he has already served half of his sentence.

Mr Dunne added: “I remind myself of the impact of Covid on conditions in prisons.

“It is hoped conditions will soon improve but while conditions remain as they are it is harsher than in normal times.”