A court has heard a man jailed for a total of four years for dealing drugs was forced to hold onto them for someone else.

Twenty-three year old Gavin William Patterson of Peveril Terrace, Douglas admitted two offences of possessing ecstasy with intent to supply and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

A charge of possessing cannabis resin was also taken into consideration by Deemster Doyle.

Edward Oldham reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Patterson was arrested in May when police found a quantity of white pills on him.

A search of his house revealed more pills, a solid white substance, drug paraphernalia and cash.

The prosecution told the court a total of 300 ecstasy tablets and 53.7 grammes of cocaine was found.

The defendant's advocate said he was only minding the drugs, had been threatened and agreed to take them to clear a debt he had run up because of his cannabis use.

He also said Patterson was placed under pressure to get involved and was acting on behalf of others entrenched in drug dealing.

Deemster Doyle said he had accept the offences had been carried out in the context of threats made.