A drug dealer who continued to peddle heroin and crack cocaine while under investigation by police has been jailed for almost four years.

Tristan Levene, 24, from Barry, was arrested in the early hours of May 31 last year, following a vehicle pursuit and foot chase. He was found hiding in a garden with thousands of pounds worth of suspected Class A drugs in his possession.

While released under investigation – during which time forensic and digital investigations were being carried out – Levene was arrested again, and again found in possession of suspected Class A drugs and thousands of pounds in cash.

He was released again pending further investigations, before he was arrested for a third time on March 18.

He was subsequently charged in relation to all three incidents and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, possessing them with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.

Imposing a jail term of three years and 10 months, the judge told him: "My sentence must reflect the persistence of your offending."

Following sentencing, Detective Inspector Sarah Trigg, said: "Tristan Levene showed a complete disregard for the law time and time again – both in carrying out his brazen drug dealing and then continuing to do so despite knowing he was actively being investigated by police.

"No amount of community intervention was going to change his ways, however, I hope that this jail term will give him an opportunity to reflect on his actions and the misery he will have caused in our communities."

Anyone with suspicions or information about illegal drug activity is urged to report it via 101, or 999 in an emergency.