A man who was sponsored to come to the UK from his war-torn country by The Prince's Trust has been jailed after he became a drug dealer.

Lunda Mbemba, 24, supplied heroin and crack cocaine to undercover police test purchase officers in Watford in December 2007 and January this year.

St Albans Crown Court heard police then searched his home in Bushey Mill Lane, Bushey, and found large quantities of diamorphine and crack cocaine.

They also found scales and £955 in cash.

Mbemba pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing class A drugs with intent and six counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs on Friday.

The court heard he had been sponsored to come to the UK from Zaire in 1993 to escape war in the country.

But he fell in with a bad crowd in London and committed offences including driving while disqualified and possession of class A drugs.

Daniel O'Malley, defending, said Mbemba then moved to Watford to escape this offending and got a job at Marks and Spencers.

However he left because of "lack of a promotion".

Mr O'Malley said: "He then became involved in drugs again to his misfortune and fell from grace. He apologises for his conduct and realises it will lead to a custodial sentence."

Sentencing, Judge John Plumstead told Mbemba he had "thrown away a chance for a decent life".

He said: "You tried drugs and became addicted to them which is a misfortune but it is no longer a misfortune when you become a dealer.

"You had a substantial stock of drugs and cash at your home which satisfies me that you were a commercial dealer. That makes you part of the problem. You deprived the people you supplied of their dignity and a decent life."

He sentenced Mbemba to three years in prison.

He also recommended him for deportation telling him: "You were made welcome here when times were difficult in your home country. But by involving yourself in serious crime you have shown your presence in the UK is detrimental."