THE father of Liverpool football star Jermaine Pennant cried yesterday as he was jailed for four years for drug-dealing.

Gary Pennant, 44, was filmed selling crack cocaine and heroin to an undercover journalist, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Pennant, of Nottingham, whose 25-year-old son is a winger for the Anfield club, earlier admitted one count of dealing crack cocaine and another of dealing heroin.

The court heard that a crack addict was paid £2,000 by the News of the World after tipping them off that they could buy drugs from Pennant senior.

Defending barrister Michael Evans told the court: “He does feel upset about this matter, as it has come about because someone has obviously stood to gain financially, and Mr Pennant was targeted because of his association with his son.

“He feels that he has let his son down by being in court in relation to this matter.”

Pennant, dressed in a black suit and green and white striped shirt, stood crying in the dock as he was sentenced.

Jailing Pennant for four years, Judge David Price said: “Anyone supplying drugs in this city must realise that a custodial sentence of some length is bound to follow.

“In your case, you had the ability to obtain a stock of drugs at short notice.