AN 18-year-old drug dealer whose boss was making £2,000 a day while he was taking £500 a week started his own illegal operation.

Dillon Peck's story came out at Oxford Crown Court last week as he was sentenced for possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

Judge Nigel Daly, reading from a probation report, told the court: "He started dealing approximately two years ago, dealing cannabis after school. Things picked up a bit and he would often stay out all night.

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"He was working for somebody making £2,000 a day. He was making £500 a week and he thought that was unfair."

The judge said Peck, who had decided to run his own gang, had claimed: “I had some boys working for me and they go supplying cocaine and heroin. I make £500 a day on a bad day.”

Prosecutors told how Peck was arrested on Castle Street in Oxford on July 9 and officers found 28 wraps of cocaine and 14 wraps of heroin.

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Judge Daly also heard Peck had previous convictions for possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing an offensive weapon and affray, and had been subject to a rehabilitation order at the time of this offence.

Defending Peck, Robert Lindsey said: “Mr Peck spent most of his life fending for himself. Drug dealing pays the rent, pays the food, it is how he gets by.”

Peck, of Great Western Drive, Didcot, was handed a three-year sentence, though his barrister said he had an entrepreneurial streak and was keen to acquire skills in jail to become a legitimate businessman on the outside.

Judge Daly, sentencing Peck, said: “You have previously admitted being highly involved in supplying drugs and, from what you said on that occasion, it was purely voluntary and it was in order to make money and also you were making quite a lot of money.”