An Essex teenager who went from selling cannabis to dealing heroin and cocaine has been jailed for two years.

Samuel Stow’s life had gone into a “downward spiral” during which he used drugs and suffered depression following the death of his best friend, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

When Stow was arrested by police in April he was found in possession of £180 cash and wraps of heroin and cocaine as well as a phone containing text messages relating to drug dealing.

The court heard that Stow’s father had been so worried about him last year he took him to see a doctor who prescribed anti-depressants but Stow had stopped taking them and had missed a follow-up appointment.

Stow, 18, of Norfolk Road, Maldon, admitted possessing cocaine and heroin with intent to supply in April this year and was jailed for two years.

Sentencing him Judge John Devaux said the offences were so serious that an immediate prison sentence was the only option.

He said Stow had progressed from selling class B drugs to selling Class A drugs.

“Drug dealing became an entrenched activity,” said the judge.