A father and son who used a disabled man's car for a dial-a-fix drug service have been jailed for a total of 11 years.

Dennis Davies, 55, was employed as a driver for the disabled man but used the vehicle to make deliveries of cocaine and cannabis across Brighton and Hove.

Chichester Crown Court heard yesterday his son Jamie, 31 - the "brains" behind the operation - paid him £20 to £30 for most of his deliveries.

Despite a long list of glowing references from friends, including a woman referred to in court as a "well-known actress" and the brain-damaged former boxer Michael Watson, Judge John Sessions sentenced Jamie to six years in prison.

His father, a former pub landlord who suffers from a degenerative back condition, was given a five-year jail term.

The court heard Jamie Davies started dealing drugs after a legitimate enterprise selling pine furniture collapsed.

His father found out and became involved because he wanted to earn some cash.

Their operation was smashed by undercover police who followed Davies senior and filmed him carrying out doorstep deals.

Detectives from the National Crime Squad also hid a recording device in the pair's safe house to monitor their conversations.

When the disabled man's car was searched, traces of drugs were discovered.

Officers built up a dossier on the pair's activities before arresting them in March 2001.

They estimate the pair had sold drugs with a street value of up to £90,000 in the previous two years.

Dennis Davies, of Upper Hollingdean Road, Brighton, and his son, of Borough Street, Brighton, had admitted to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply herbal cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis resin.

All the offences are said to have taken place between March 6 and 30, 2001, although Dennis Davies told his probation officer he had been delivering drugs for three years.

Michael Wolkind QC, for Davies senior, said he was a "naive" man with an otherwise unblemished record who had carried out voluntary work with young boxers for 30 years.

Mr Wolkind said: "It was Dennis Davies who made the deliveries - Jamie was the brains behind the business. Jamie never exposed himself to the danger of getting caught."

Owen Davies QC, for Jamie Davies, said: "Clearly to an extent Jamie blames himself for the predicament he has inflicted on his family."

The court heard Jamie Davies had no previous convictions and carried out charity work.