A man caught on a train with a ‘ball’ of class A drugs has been jailed for seven years.

Michael Paul Ault, 40, was spotted by police swapping cash for a package of heroin and cocaine in a drug deal in Liverpool.

He was arrested trying to board a train bound for Nottingham.

Ault, of South Park Road, Macclesfield, was found guilty of possession of heroin with intent to supply, and possession of cocaine with intent to supply after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison today, August 13.

The court heard that on June 5 last year Ault was spotted by three officers from the National Crime Agency exchanging cash for ‘a large quantity of white power wrapped into a ball’ from a group of three men on Bolton Street in Liverpool.

Ault was seen to put the package into his pocket before heading to Lime Street station and boarding a train bound for Nottingham, prosecutors claimed.

Two of the officers followed him onto the train and removed him, the court heard.

Ault resisted the officers and a violent struggle ensued which saw him restrained on the ground, prosecutors said.

During the scuffle a number of items fell from Ault’s pockets, including the suspected drugs package which turned out to contain smaller plastic packs of heroin and cocaine with a street value of more than £2,000, the court heard.

British Transport Police officers alerted to the incident attended the scene and assisted with Ault’s detention, taking charge of him and transporting him to a custody suite, prosecutors said.

Speaking after the sentencing Detective Constable Martin Melia said: “It is in no small part thanks to the actions of the three National Crime Agency officers who spotted Ault exchange cash for the drugs, and followed him onto his train before alerting British Transport Police officers that he is now behind bars.

“Drugs ruin lives and destroy families and communities. A seven year prison term reflects the court’s view that continued involvement in the supply of drugs should be dealt with severely.

“I hope the sentence sends a warning to others that being involved in the supply of drugs will lead to custodial sentences, which will increase if previous convictions have not proved to be a deterrent.”