A DRUG dealer from Malmesbury who was told he is facing prison has had his sentencing delayed so the probation service can decide if he is suitable for rehabilitation.

But Kyle Brace – who was caught selling heroin and crack cocaine in a pub and found to have drugs as he travelled on a bus – has been told he may still be facing a lengthy jail term.

Judge Tim Mousley QC, sitting at Swindon Crown Court, told the 20-year-old that it was right he should have all the options before him prior to passing sentence.

Earlier Hannah Squire, prosecuting, had told the court how Brace was caught by police twice within a few weeks early last year.

She said police were first called to the Wetherspoon's pub in Chippenham on January 14 after someone spotted drug dealing taking place.

When they arrived they searched Brace, who was with another man, and found he had eight wraps of heroin and crack on him, with another six in a bag he had dropped.

His phone was found to have received 1,181 incoming calls of less than a minute and 300 texts, which were indicative of a drug dealer receiving orders from users.

He was then arrested on a bus in Chippenham on February 6 for other matters and again found with 10 wraps of drugs.

When he was questioned about the first matter he said he had gone to the pub to buy drugs, not sell, and refused to answer questions the second time.

Brace, of Athelston Place in Malmesbury, initially pleaded not guilty to four counts of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

But he changed his plea to admit what he had done before a jury could be sworn in on the first day of a trial.

Tristan Harwood, defending Brace, said that since he had been locked up on remand he had stopped taking drugs and now wishes to start an apprenticeship in mechanics when he is released.

Mr Harwood said Brace became involved in dealing drugs after running up a debt with his dealer, and was at the bottom of the supply chain.

When he adjourned the case for a report by probation last month, the judge said: "The only issue they need to address is length. Custody is inevitable."

After reading the report, he said he should have the option to impose a drug rehabilitation order instead of a prison sentence, and adjourned the case to this Friday, remanding Brace in custody until then.

But he said: "I am only going to consider it. I am not going to say now that is definitely what is going to happen."

He said "You are 20 now, 19 at the time. You were then addicted to Class A drugs, heroin I think, and taking drugs since you were 14 or 15.

"Here you were dealing at Wetherspoon's and carrying drugs as you travelled on a bus in Chippenham and all being done for financial gain so you can pay your debts.

"You have been in custody now since August. I am told by the probation officer who interviewed you that you are not now taking drugs. I am told you have certain mental health issues.”

The judge told Brace that a prison sentence for the offences could be between three-and-a-half to seven years.