A POOLE man has been jailed for three years for importing cocaine with a street value of £20,000 into Britain from Barbados.

Timothy John Jacobs, 43, from Highland Road, was caught after customs officers intercepted a suspicious package, addressed to him, at Gatwick following a flight from the Caribbean.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Angela England said police officers had replaced the cocaine with a harmless substance before sending it on to a property in Poole, which Jacobs rented out.

His lodger told them how several similar packages had been sent to the address. A search warrant was executed at Jacobs' home and £6,500 was found under a mattress as well as a money transfer document showing that £3,000 had been sent from the UK to Barbados.

When he was arrested, Jacobs handed over a package, saying: "I have this; it's cocaine."

He maintained that the drugs had been for his own use but admitted supplying the illicit substance to close friends.

Miss England said the father-of-one had confessed to importing drugs with a street value of £20,000 between December 1, 2007 and March 29, 2008.

In his defence, Paul Hester described the case as "unusual", adding: "My client is a respectable member of society.

"Regrettably, he started taking cocaine socially seven or eight years ago.

"He decided to go on holiday - it was never his intention to go to Barbados to look for drugs - and was approached by people offering him drugs.

"Stupidly he got involved with a man there and arranged the importation.

"The purpose was solely for his own use; there was no commercial element."

Mr Hester added: "There was no sophistication whatsoever.

"The packages had his name on them.

"There was no degree of subterfuge or trying to hide the trail.

"He has now given up drugs and has learned his lesson."

Sentencing sobbing Jacobs, Recorder Nicholas Haggan QC told him: "This is a very sad case; I accept this cocaine was primarily for your own use.

"In my opinion your offence is so serious neither a fine nor a community sentence can be justified."

Speaking later, PC Andy Haworth said: "Cocaine ruined this man's life; this offence was committed out of desperation.

"I hope this case acts as a warning to others; never be tempted to try cocaine or any other illegal substance."