A MAN trapped by video footage of him supplying drugs to undercover police has been jailed for three and a half years.

Majid Hussain dealt crack cocaine on three occasions. He was arrested as part of an operation called Monaco, targeting suppliers.

The 21-year-old of Howsin Street, Burnley, had pleaded guilty to three counts of drug supplying.

Neil Standage, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said undercover officers made test purchases of Class A drugs as part of the operation, using covert video and audio recording equipment.

Hussain's offending related to three dates in April. On the first he was clearly seen on video tape, supplying crack cocaine to undercover officers. Another meeting was arranged, via a mobile phone, for more drugs. The same phone number was used to gain further drugs on a third occasion.

As arrests were being made in the operation, an officer who had been working a video camera recognised Hussain. But the defendant initially stated it was not him on the video.

Mr Mohammed Nawaz, defending, said Hussain was a sad example of someone whose life had been blighted by the evil of drugs.

But he had realised the error of his ways and relinquished his involvement with cocaine. He expressed shame for his actions.

Judge Robert Brown told Hussain "You must realise that offences of this kind are so serious that only custody can be justified".