A drug dealer caught when the car he was travelling in broke down has been jailed.

Former Soham Village College student Dominic Hutter, 24, had been smoking cannabis and it was the smell of the drug which alerted police.

On Wednesday, Hutter, of Top Street, Stretham, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court where he jailed for two years and five months imprisonment.

The court heard that initially police had stopped to help after spotting a Vauxhall Astra car that had broken down on the A14 at Bury St Edmunds on January 3.

As officers prepared to tow the vehicle to safety they became aware of a strong smell of cannabis, said Chris Youell, prosecuting.

Inside the car police found a freezer bag containing a large quantity of cannabis and Hutter was arrested.

At the Bury St Edmunds police investigation centre, a police officer saw Hutter throw away a plastic bag containing tablets, white powder and a wrap, said Mr Youell.

The subsequent search of Hutter’s room at his family home revealed a hand-written list of names and amounts of money which was described to the court as a “debt sheet.”

Mr Youell said examination of Hutter’s mobile phone showed 329 text messages sent and received over a two day period and apparently relating to drugs.

Hutter pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of ecstasy with intent to supply and possession of cocaine, which the court heard was for his own personal use.

The court heard that Hutter had six previous convictions for eight offences including drug-related matters.

Appearing for Hutter, Charles Myatt said: “He got himself into debt and got himself into a chronic addiction to cannabis.

“He then took the ridiculously stupid decision to try to alleviate his financial problems by starting to supply cannabis to allow him to find his own habit.”

Mr Myatt said Hutter’s involvement with ecstasy had been for only a few days over the Christmas and New Year period, which accounted for many of the calls on his phone.

Hutter, who previously served in the Army for two years before being discharged on compassionate grounds, had struggled with problems in his personal life.

Mr Recorder Bruce Holder QC told Hutter: “I would not be doing my duty if I did not send you straight to prison. The offences are grave.”