A ‘LONER’ who was targeted and recruited by a drugs gang as a driver has been jailed for four years.

Keith Smith, 37, described as vulnerable and socially isolated, liked the job as it got him out of the house and he enjoyed the perks of staying in hotels and driving a BMW hired in his name by the dealers, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Smith, whose home in Tavistock Street, Nelson, had been used for bagging drugs, had been arrested when police saw a transaction taking place at the car and a bag containing seven rocks of crack cocaine was thrown from the vehicle window.

Smith, 37, whose leg was said to have been broken by the dealers who had mistakenly thought he had given information to police on his arrest, had admitted possessing the drug with intent to supply.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said on January 26, plain clothes police in Padiham town centre saw a man approach a car and then an exchange took place with the defendant.

The street value of the drugs was £245.

The defendant's home was searched.

Plastic bag cut offs were discovered and a forensic scientist believed the seven wraps came from the same packaging.

Mr Parker said Smith, when asked why he would get involved in dealing in drugs on behalf of someone else, said: “The scary thing about this is I don't get any money. It just gets me out of the house.”

He said none of the gang had a driving licence and he liked being a driver.

Smith had three previous convictions.

David Ryan, for Smith, said a group of unknown men who turned out to be drug dealers had targeted a vulnerable and lonely individual.