A KIDDERMINSTER drug dealer broke down in tears in a court when he learned he would miss the birth of his child because he was handed a jail sentence.

When convicted robber Daniel Donovan, who was dealing heroin and cocaine, learned his fate at Worcester Crown Court he wept and said: "Please sir, I will miss the birth of my child!"

The 26-year-old, who appeared on Thursday, admitted possession of class A drugs heroin and cocaine with intent to supply and possession of a class C drug (Pregabalin) with intent to supply on July 28 last year. Donovan had been dealing the drugs while on licence after being released from a four year sentence for robbery.

Amrisha Parathalingam, prosecuting, said police officers were travelling in an unmarked car at around 9pm when they saw an exchange between the defendant and another male.

"The defendant and that male made off," said Ms Parathalingam.

When Donovan was arrested after abandoning his push bike they found £320 in cash, mobile phones and lock knives in a rucksack that had been tied to his bike.

At the police station he disclosed that had further drugs in his possession. A search of his address in Kidderminster revealed £350 in cash in a sock, three mobile phones and drugs packaged ready for sale with a street value of £250.

"All the drugs found in the defendant's possession were packaged for sale," said the prosecutor.

Donovan had nine previous convictions for 16 offences which started in 2010, including for possession of cannabis, robbery and assaulting an emergency worker.

Julia Powell, defending, urged the judge to suspend the sentence, saying that Donovan had 'turned a corner' since he was released from prison at the end of January and had met a young woman.

"For the first time he feels he is able to make something of his life after having been the subject of what can only be described as exploitation by his previous employer" she said.

Describing him as 'vulnerable', she also accepted 'he thought he could make a fast buck and that is how he became involved', being paid £50 per day.

His baby is due on November 5. His partner was in the public gallery, she said.

"I recognise you are not the most sophisticated of offenders but I also have to take into account the seriousness of dealing class A drugs" said Judge Martin Jackson, sentencing him.

He told Donovan that addicts supported their habit by stealing from shops and committing burglaries 'sometimes targeting elderly or vulnerable victims'.

"Some addicts go as far as to commit robberies, using or threatening violence, instilling fear in their victims" said Judge Jackson.

He accepted that Donovan played a lesser role and was acting under direction and performing a limited function for someone else, earning around £50 per day.

Judge Jackson said: "It seems where somebody does take a conscious decision to engage in drug dealing in order to provide money for themselves then I'm dealing with somebody who has made an informed decision to commit criminal offences. It's not something that happened on the spur of the moment."

Donovan of Victoria Place, Kidderminster was jailed for 21 months.