A DRUG dealer who is ‘turning his life around’ after losing his brother has been sentenced to two years behind bars.

The parents of Jordan Wheeler told a court they had watched the ‘gradual disintegration of his character’ after the death of older brother Carl in 2010.

He was arrested on suspicion of supplying cocaine on July 14 last year after a police officer noticed that one of the headlights on his car wasn’t working and pulled him over, along with Jake Price-Wake.

Anita Gibson-Lee, prosecuting, said: “The officer spoke to Mr Wheeler, and thought he was behaving nervously.

“He told the officer he had been driving aimlessly.”

But a search of the car revealed three wraps of powder, later discovered to be cocaine, and around £300 cash.

Later, a fourth, larger wrap of cocaine was found in the vehicle, and a search of Price-Wake’s home also turned up 3.34 grams of drug MDMA, worth around £90.

Ms Gibson-Lee said more than 14 grams of cocaine – worth £700 if sold on the street – was discovered.

She added that Price-Wake had been helping Wheeler, who was in debt, and was not making a profit from the sale of the drugs.

Defending Wheeler, James Newton-Price said he’d had a ‘promising future’ as a teen, and had achieved 13 GCSEs, as well as playing rugby for his school.

He said: “Since his arrest, a number of important positive changes have begun.”

He told the court that Wheeler is working full-time for free, attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings and has sought counselling.

The defendant’s father Roger said: “He realises the mistakes he has made. He told me he is going to turn his life around and become the son I can be proud of again.”

Wheeler, of Alder Road in Poole, admitted possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, and was sentenced to 24 months in a young offenders’ institute.

Price-Wake, of Templer Close, pleaded guilty to the same offence, as well as an additional charge of possession of a Class A drug, at Bournemouth Crown Court, and was sentenced to 16 months.