A judge said it was sad to see a young man have his hopes dashed of joining the Army after he was given a suspended jail term for a drug offence in Norwich.

Nicholas Fletcher, 21, had come to the UK from Granada to join the army but got involved in a drug enterprise when his cousin Sherese Fletcher, 21, who was living in Southwell Road, Norwich, recruited him to help sell Class A drugs, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Although Nicholas Fletcher never actually got round to selling any drugs before police raided the address in December, last year, the court heard it would mean the end to any hope of an army career.

Nicholas Fletcher, of no fixed address, and Sherese Fletcher admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and Kiaron Bishop, 22, admitted possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Brian Reece, prosecuting, said when police raided the address they found wraps of heroin and cocaine in the bathroom and £2,600 in cash in a bag of clothing.

He said that text messages on phones seized showed that Sherese had recruited her cousin to sell drugs, although she had not actually sold any drugs herself.

Recorder Alastair Wilson jailed Bishop for three years, four months and imposed a 22 month sentence suspended for two years on Sherese Fletcher and ordered her to do 150 hours community service.

He imposed an 18 month sentence suspended for two years on Nicholas Fletcher and ordered him to do 100 hours community service.

He told him: 'It is very sad to hear you came here from Granada hoping to join the British Army and now as a result of this conviction I am sure it will be impossible.'

Sam Parham, for Nicholas Fletcher, said that he had never actually got round to selling any drugs but was still learning how it might work: 'His involvement was limited.'

He said he had only come to UK four weeks previously with hopes of joining the army and said: 'That ambition is now hopeless.'

Philip Farr, for Sherese Fletcher said that her involvement was limited and she had never dealt any drugs: 'She has simply helped out in recruiting one other person.'

Richard Wood, for Bishop, said he was acting on instructions by others higher up for only a modest benefit.