A FORMER Ipswich karate teacher who was looking after drugs for a dealer is today serving a two-and-a-half year custodial sentence.Nineteen-year-old Harlon Henderson had 314 “clover leaf” ecstasy tablets in his Pipers Court flat in Old Foundry Road and 50.

A FORMER Ipswich karate teacher who was looking after drugs for a dealer is today serving a two-and-a-half year custodial sentence.

Nineteen-year-old Harlon Henderson had 314 “clover leaf” ecstasy tablets in his Pipers Court flat in Old Foundry Road and 50.6 grams of amphetamine sulphate, known as speed, in his fridge.

He also admitted having a “very small” amount of cannabis.

Peter Gair, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court, said police made “a dynamic entrance” into the flat on January 27.

He said Daniel Watson, who lived in another flat in Pipers Court, was leaving Henderson's flat as the police arrived and his flat was later raided.

Twenty-two-year-old Watson, of Stoke Fleming, Devon, had 318 ecstasy tablets in his possession and pleaded guilty at court on September 21 to possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Watson is due to be sentenced during the week beginning October 15.

Henderson, whose latest address was given as Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to possessing MDMA (ecstasy) and amphetamine with intent to supply and to possessing 1.1 grams of cannabis resin.

Neil Macaulay, mitigating, said his client had cooperated with the police but had initially denied intending to supply the drugs.

He said Henderson was expecting to be paid £75 for holding the drugs for a dealer he was “fearful” of.

He said Watson had probably been in the same situation.

Mr Macaulay said Henderson had a history of assaults against care home staff and had been in local authority care since he was four years old.

He said Henderson discovered he was “proficient” in karate and had used this martial art to conduct himself without violence.

He said he was working as a karate teacher until last December but lost his job as he didn't have a driving licence.

Mr Recorder Gerard Pounder said: “Having 314 ecstasy tablets with intent to supply is a very serious offence.

“Only in exceptional circumstances should people get less than five years in prison.”

He said dealers could only function when people like Henderson agreed to mind their drugs for them.

Henderson was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in a young offender's institute.