ROOFER Terry Pike has been jailed for two years after police discovered cocaine worth around £20,000 at his house in the city.

Pike, 23, was storing the cocaine at his home in Bonhay Road as a 'warehouseman' for those higher up the drugs chain .

Judge Graham Cottle jailed him for 24 months at Exeter Crown Court on Friday, despite tearful evidence from Pike's father, Michael, about how the defendant had succumbed to cocaine addiction.

The judge said he was impressed with the way that Pike had turned his life around since his arrest and the support that his family had given him.

But he said jail was the only option because of the scale of the offence.

Pike had pleaded guilty to possessing around 432g of cocaine with intent to supply.

He had also admitted two charges of simple possession of small quantities of cocaine and one of cannabis.

Prosecutor Lee Bremridge said police discovered cannabis and cocaine when they stopped Pike's car.

They raided his house in February this year and discovered the larger amount of cocaine stored in various points around the property, in sealable bags.

Most of the drugs were being stored for others, although a smaller amount was for personal use, the court heard.

Defence counsel Emily Pitts called Michael Pike to give evidence. Mr Pike broke down in tears as he described how his son first tried drugs when his family was away on an extended holiday abroad.

To their horror, they later discovered that he had become a cocaine addict, after noticing symptoms including severe weight loss. They had helped him as he turned his life around and kicked his habit.

Miss Pitts said Pike had first been offered the drugs by a friend, then moved out of home.

He eventually agreed to store cocaine to pay off his own drugs debts and had repeatedly been in hospital for overdoses.

He was now facing threats from others because of the loss of the cocaine as a result of his arrest.

She said the defendant had one previous conviction, from six years ago.

Judge Cottle said it was commendable that Pike was realistic about facing jail and had still continued to tackle his habit and live a decent life, with excellent references and a caring family speaking on his behalf.

"Your father has conveyed in his evidence how impressed he is in the way you have sought to turn your life out," he said.

But the judge added that Pike's offence as a drugs warehouseman had helped perpetuate the misery that he suffered as a cocaine addict, on others.

"I cannot deal with this case without imposing a custodial sentence," he said. "I am keeping it as short as I can."