A 34-year-old Stroud father of four who admits peddling hard drugs in the town will face a mini trial in January for a judge to establish exactly what his involvement was.

Everel Douglas, of Margaret Hills, Stroud, who kept illicit drugs literally under his hat while out supplying, has admitted possessing heroin and cocaine, both class A drugs, with intent to supply on September 13 this year.

He was due to be sentenced at Gloucester crown court last week but Judge Michael Cullum said Douglas' version of his involvement was so different from what the prosecution say that a trial of issue, known as a 'Newton hearing', would have to take place.

Prosecutor, Janine Wood, told Judge Cullum that plain clothed officers observed a known drug user approach a silver Mazda on Beard's Lane, Stroud on September 13 at about 5.30pm.

Having believed they witnessed a drug deal take place, they stopped the car and spoke to the sole occupant, Everel Douglas.

Douglas pointed to a white pot in the central console, which when searched was found to contain class A drugs.

When he removed his baseball caps, several 'wraps' of both heroin and crack cocaine fell out.

In total, Mrs Wood said if all the drugs were broken down and sold in street deals, they would have a value of between £7,000 and £7,500.

The prosecutor said that Douglas was both a street dealer and also supplying other street dealers.

This placed him in a 'Significant Role' in sentencing guidelines, which carries a starting point of four and half years immediate jail, she said.

However, Michael Situ, representing Douglas said there were features of the case that placed Douglas in a 'Lesser Role' according to the sentencing guidelines.

He said that his client had damaged a BMW last December and due to not having insurance he was put under pressure to pay the cost of the damage.

Mr Situ said the BMW owner told him there was another way he could pay off his 'debt', and continued to put pressure on Douglas to deal drugs, to which he eventually 'succumbed'.

Judge Cullum ruled: “There is quite a significant difference in versions here.

“The prosecution say this is a man with a lot of drugs ready to go in his hat.

“Ready to deal to street users, and the pot is to go for other dealers.

“They say it is a twin track operation.

“That is straightforward significant role, dealing for himself, keeping the profits, with a larger than usual amount of drugs on him for a street dealer.

“But you say there is an argument for lesser role,” the judge said to Mr Situ.

Turning to Douglas, the judge said to him: “It is not possible to resolve your sentence when you say one thing and the prosecution say another

“It does makes a difference to the sentence.

“I do not know whether to accept the prosecution or defence side,” he explained. “That is to be resolved by a hearing on the facts to resolve the basis.”

The judge fixed the hearing for January 10 next year, but warned Douglas that whatever the finding was 'You will receive a custodial sentence'.

Douglas was remanded in custody until the next hearing.