A drug dealer who posted ?78,000 worth of cocaine to his flat has had his 15-year jail sentence upheld at appeal.

Mark Lee Clinton received a parcel containing almost a kilogramme of the drug in June 2007 from a dealer in the United Kingdom.

He tried to blame a friend for the drugs, but was convicted of importing and being involved in supplying cocaine, while his friend was proved innocent.

In an appeal against the length of his jail term, his advocate argued violent sex offenders received lower sentences, and the prison term was disproportionate.

Clinton's advocate argued the sentencing guidelines for drug dealers were flawed and his client hadn't received sufficient credit for his mitigating circumstances.

He said the operation had been unsophisticated, hadn't provided a lavish lifestyle, Clinton was young and feared losing contact with his child.

But Deemster Kerruish and Appeal Judge Tattershall said the case involved a large amount of a class A drug, significant planning had gone into Clinton's attempt to blame his friend and he had been deeply involved in the cocaine trade.

They rejected the appeal, and upheld the 15-year jail term.