A DRUG addict who allowed his Hatfield home to be used by dealers has been given a chance by a judge to kick his habit.

John Evatt let two dealers operate a drug den from his flat in return for two bags of heroin, St Albans Crown Court was told.

When questioned by the police on October 7, the 30-year-old denied he was dealing himself, said prosecutor Sheryl Nwuso.

He said the men had visited him on six occasions and they had given him two bags of heroin a time so they could operate from his address.

Evatt, of The Minims, pleaded guilty to allowing his premises to be used for the supply of Class A drugs.

David Wales, defending, said Evatt was a “weak character” who had been used by more serious criminals than himself.

He said: “They got to him because they knew he was a drug addict. He started using cannabis from the age of 15, was expelled from school, fell out with his father and was put out of the family home.

“He mixed with drug offenders and his drug habit escalated.”

Mr Wales said Evatt had been making progress in trying to overcome his drug habit.

He was seeing a drug intervention worker and was attending drug programmes.

A letter from his drug worker Paula Wilson said he was beginning to show motivation.

Judge Andrew Bright QC, sentencing Evatt on Tuesday last week, said he was going to give him an opportunity to come off drugs.

He passed a 12-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months with a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

The judge warned Evatt: “The sentence is dangling over your head.

“I promise you if don’t play ball you will go inside. Don’t let me down.”

Evatt replied: “I won’t sir.”