Neighbours of a convicted drugs dealer have reacted with shock to news that cocaine was being sold on their quiet street.

Michael Smith, 44, from Park Road, Witney, is serving a two-year jail sentence after admitting possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

The sentencing, at Oxford Crown Court earlier this month, followed an investigation by detectives who had become suspicious of his extravagant lifestyle.

Despite not working, his house had a black Land Rover Discovery with tinted windows on the drive, a swimming pool in the garden, a state-of-the-art plasma television and an expensive new kitchen.

After searching his home last September, police discovered 13 ounces of cocaine - with a street value of at least £18,000. News of Smith's imprisonment left neighbours shocked - though some say they had their suspicions.

Mother-of-two Jean Godfrey lives next door to Smith.

She said: "As a mother it does worry me that this was happening in our street.

"It's a quiet road. But there were always loads of people coming and going.

"When he got the swimming pool we were particularly surprised."

Another neighbour, who was too scared to give her name, said: "We knew something strange was going on. We once received an anonymous note, saying he was dealing drugs, which made us quite frightened.

"There was always an awful lot of activity, with cars coming and going day and night.

"They were all posh cars too - 4x4s with up-to-date registrations.

"We knew he was off work for a long time, but his extravagance was awful.

"He just suddenly started buying stuff. I thought he was running a business there."

Another neighbour, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: "We thought he was doing something illegal, but we heard a story that one of his aunts had a win on the lottery."

As previously reported in the Oxford Mail, Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden, area commander for West Oxfordshire, said Smith was believed to have been dealing from his house.

He added: "This man has peddled misery to individuals and families."

And he said the case should serve as a warning to anyone profiting from illegal drugs.

He added: "We've got a zero tolerance to any drug, be they Class A, B or C.

"Drugs end up making vulnerable people even more vulnerable. Users turn to crime and prostitution and often steal from families and damage communities to feed their habit.

"Compared to other places, there isn't much of a problem here - and I'm determined to keep it that way.

"That is why we have got undercover detectives working on these people right now.

"If you are a drug dealer, we are after you. We are on your trail, and you need to ask yourself 'who can you trust?'.

"Look over your shoulder... who is watching you?"