A CONVICT unable to shake off the 'toxic legacy' of his drug dealing has been locked up after being forced back into the evil trade.

Callum Spencer was lured back into dealing heroin and cocaine after failing to clear a £10,000 debt with fellow drug dealers built up before he was jailed in 2014.

The 24-year-old was sent to prison for the second time after claiming he returned to selling drugs following release from prison after fearing for the safety of his loved ones.

Jailing Spencer for six years at Oxford Crown Court Tuesday, Judge Peter Ross told the defendant he was 'deeply concerned' about his record of offending.

He added: "Class A drugs represent a real scourge in this city and in this county. Every Monday morning I do the drug review courts and I see some people, as I did this Monday, who were close to death because of their continued addiction to heroin and crack cocaine.

"It is an evil trade and the courts must sentence to reflect that."

Police went scouring for the defendant in connection with an unrelated matter, visiting a property in Starwort Path, Blackbird Leys, on December 16 last year, prosecutor Cathy Olliver said.

Officers spotted Spencer through the window but he refused to let them in, forcing police to enter through the unlocked front door.

He was seen hiding something in a linen basket placed while in an upstairs room, later uncovered to be drugs, the prosecutor told the court on Tuesday.

The drug dealer was caught with 55 wraps of heroin, weighing 13.87g, along with 112 wraps of crack cocaine, weighing 23.65g - all worth a total of £3,340.

Officers also discovered £5,425 in cash in the property, along with scales and mobiles, as well as cannabis for personal use.

Spencer was jailed for four years for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin in 2014, and had been released from prison on licence when swooped on by police, the court heard.

Defence barrister Alistair Grainger said Spencer wanted to 'turn a new leaf' when he left prison but was ordered by a London gang to repay a drug dealing debt owed to them.

The defendant had 'nothing to his name', telling the gang he would get a job to clear the debt but the drug dealers were not prepared to wait, Mr Grainger claimed.

He was forced to take a 'gamble' after the gang threatened to harm his family and friends, choosing to take a risk with his freedom, the barrister told the court.

Spencer, of Wynbush Road, Oxford, who must pay a victim surcharge, admitted possession with intent to supply.

Judge Ross also ordered the forfeiture of the cash, as well as the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and paraphernalia.