A man who sold crack cocaine to an undercover policeman in Colchester as part of a London gang has been jailed.

Simon Zurek, 39, fell prey to a police sting in the town centre in May last year as part of Operation Keeper.

A meeting was arranged by officers with a dealer, known as Max, by text message, and Zurek, of Pebmarsh Close, Colchester, arrived at the meet.

He produced eight wraps of the class A drug, with officers buying three for £25 before he was arrested.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told yesterday Zurek had been forced into working for London drug gangs wanting to move operations into Colchester.

Zurek had 41 previous convictions and was already in prison for dishonesty offences.

The court heard he was jailed in December 2010 for 32 months for dealing heroin.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC, sentencing, said he had no choice but to send Zurek back to jail despite his minor role.

He said: “You were caught holding that quantity and a little more.

“I’m satisfied you were working as a runner for London-based gangs pushing into the market in Essex.

“You were not responsible for the strategy but it needs to be stamped out. You were dealing to people on the streets,”

Zurek was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail, which will begin after his current sentence finishes.