A man who claimed he had been “silly” and was dealing drugs to try and save money for his wedding has been jailed.

At around 7.30pm on January 21, Aaron Carr was stopped and searched by police in Tonbridge Road in Maidstone.

Officers had recognised his black BMW, which was suspected of being involved in the supply of class A drugs.

A roadside search led to the confiscation of 3.5 grams of cocaine, around £2,800 in cash, and a phone.

Carr was arrested at the scene and admitted two kilos of cocaine could be found in a wardrobe at his home address in Ewell Avenue, West Malling.

This was seized during a later search, alongside another half a kilo of cocaine, nearly £33,000 in cash, two phones, and a laptop.

Police also found a machete hidden in one of Carr’s other vehicles.

During his arrest, he told police: “I’ve been stupid. I’ve been doing something silly.

“I’ve been dealing drugs. I was only doing it to try and save some money for my wedding”.

The 44-year-old was charged the same day with possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of criminal property.

He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years and four months’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday (July 2).

Detective Sergeant Jon Saxby said: “While Carr maintains the reasons for his actions were honourable, he neglected to consider the detrimental impact of his criminal endeavours on the wider community.

“He put his wish for a lavish wedding above the impact on vulnerable drug users, rather than living within the law and within his means.

“Crime does not pay; Carr’s stash of drugs and cash has since been seized and destroyed.”