A FORMER Royal Marine who turned to couriering drugs, after becoming addicted to crack cocaine, has been locked up.

James Simms served 3½ years with the elite Army unit doing tours of Afghanistan.

But Liverpool Crown Court heard the 24-year-old was discharged from the Forces because of a motoring offence.

His barrister, Anthony O’Donohoe, told the court he began to take drugs and developed a £150-a-day crack cocaine habit and built up massive debts.

Officers stopped Simms when they saw his black Ford Fiesta parked up on Woolfall Heath Avenue, Huyton, on October 4.

They arrested him after finding cannabis inside.

Michael Stephenson, prosecuting, said when Simms was searched at the police station, 140 wraps of crack cocaine and £450 were found.

The former soldier, of Huyton Lane, Huyton, claimed he intended to take the drugs, worth £1,700, over the next week and the money was his girlfriend’s.

But after his partner denied any knowledge of the money, Simms admitted possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of class C drugs.

Judge William George told Simms he could have been facing a four-year stretch, but he reduced it because of his good background and guilty plea.

Mr O’Donohoe said Simms became a courier to pay his debts.