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A drug dealer has become the first in the area to be jailed for refusing to tell police the security code to unlock his iPhone.

Detectives wanted to examine Daniel Raworth's iPhone to investigate other dealers but he repeatedly refused to provide the pass code, a court heard.

Drug dealers have now been warned to "think again" if they believe that they can just ignore requests from police to unlock their phones.

Raworth, 32, of Salamander Close, Grimsby, admitted being concerned in supplying cocaine between September 16 and November 12 last year.

(Image: Grimsby Telegraph)

He also admitted failing to supply the police with the four-digit security code of his phone between June 12 and 19.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Raworth was involved in supplying cocaine and police seized a mobile phone used by him.

They wanted to examine it to investigate further drugs matters but Raworth would not provide the security code for it.

He later gave three false codes. He was warned in court on an earlier occasion that he faced prosecution if he did not do so but still failed to provide the code.

This was the first prosecution of its kind by Humberside Police.

"The message has to go out that if you think you can outfox the police, think again," said Mr Evans.

"He is in a chain. We have to make a stand."

Another person was involved in the drug dealing and scales and bags were found at Raworth's home.

Andrew Bailey, mitigating, said Raworth turned to drugs after being unable to work as a scaffolder for a long period of time because of depression.

He earlier suffered a stroke. He built up a significant drug debt that needed to be worked off.

"That's how he became involved in this illegal activity for about six weeks or so," said Mr Bailey.

"He is ashamed about that involvement in Class A drugs. He wants to rid himself of his addiction to drugs."

Raworth was jailed for three-and-a-half years. The sentence included a consecutive five months for the phone code matter and an extra one month for failing to answer bail.

Recorder Mark McKone told him: "That phone is likely to have very important drug dealing information on it.

"There are other drug dealers still out there who the police could not apprehend."

(Image: Grimsby Telegraph)

Cash seized by the police totalling £310 will be used towards the costs of the prosecution.

After the hearing, Detective Inspector James Fairgrieve said: “I am pleased with the overall sentence given in court.

“This should send out a message to criminals that judges will add time to sentences when people fail to cooperate with the police.”

Jailed in October