A drug dealer whose criminal enterprise was exposed via a number plate left at the scene of a crash has been jailed.

Pierre Mallion crashed his Transit van into a telegraph pole while over the limit for three types of illegal drug.

An abandoned number plate led police to the 27-year-old's address, where officers uncovered cocaine, cannabis, ketamine and drug money.

Mallion's mobile phone was found to contain the listed drug buying requirements of more than 80 customers.

During his one phone call in custody, Mallion was overheard discussing how 'hot' it was in the conservatory at home, where police had already uncovered overwhelming evidence.

Mallion was jailed at Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday, having earlier admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine, possession of morphine and cannabis, and driving under the influence of cocaine derivative benzoylecgonine, cannabis and MDMA.

Simon Connolly, prosecuting, said police were called to reports of a van colliding with a telegraph pole and concrete fence post near Earl Soham at about 9.42pm on December 31, 2019.

Police were led to Chapel Road, Saxtead, and were driven towards by a damaged Ford Transit, which they trapped against a hedge before apprehending a "spaced-out" Mallion.

Inside the address, police found £6,500 to £7,500 of cocaine, £405 of cannabis resin, £460 of herbal 'skunk', £50 of cannabis oil, £125 of ketamine, £15 of morphine, weighing scales and £4,901.56 of cash.

Mr Connolly said Mallion had a previous conviction for drink-driving in 2013 and received a suspended sentence for dealing cannabis the same year.

Donal Lawler, mitigating, said Mallion's attempt to squeeze his van past police, said Mr Lawler, was born more out of confusion than a deliberate act.

He said underlying drug issues were a factor in Mallion's recent offending.

The drug treatment requirement of his suspended sentence, said Mr Lawler, was discharged early because of his positive progress.

He said Mallion had been working in graphic design and printing, and had reacted to the death of a close friend in 2015 by throwing himself into his work.

"That brought its own stresses and tensions," added Mr Lawler.

"By the end of the year, he had started using cannabis again. Relatively quickly, the slippery slope was gone down.

"Because he could afford bigger amounts – in order to keep his interaction with those selling drugs to a minimum – other people asked favours and he was soon supplying an ever-increasing group of people."

Mr Lawler said Mallion had remained abstinent from drugs since his arrest and had sought counselling.

Judge Emma Peters jailed Mallion for two years and eight months. He was also banned from driving for 52 months.