POLICE smashed a commercial drug ring in an undercover operation, a court heard.

Simon Waley, prosecuting at Leeds Crown Court, said Liverpudlian Darren Michael Brunston took a £40-a-night room at the Wold View Hotel in York between January 26 and February 6, 2006, and used it as a base for crack cocaine dealing. He was already on bail for dealing in heroin and cocaine in York.

But police kept undercover watch on the hotel and raided his room.

They found £210 of crack cocaine, drug dealing equipment, some of which was thrown out of the window during the raid. Brothers Karl and Jayson Archer carried out a deal each.

On September 2, 2005, during a drugs raid in Lincoln Street, police caught Brunston with drugs around his feet and on him. They found £270 of heroin, £85 of crack cocaine and £240 in cash.

The prosecution believe Brunston was travelling to and from Liverpool on a regular basis. He went on the run for some months after his second arrest and was caught in Liverpool.

Brunston, 34, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply it to others and one of possessing heroin to supply. He was jailed for four years.

Former warehouse manager Jayson Michael Archer, 34, of Brecksfield, Skelton, and Karl Dean Archer, 32, of Mansfield House, The Groves, York, were each jailed for two years after admitting one charge apiece of possessing cocaine with intent to supply it. Both have served four years in the past for drug dealing.

For Jayson Archer, Chris Dunn said he only carried out a deal to help his brother. Both Mr Dunn and Simon Hickey for Karl Archer, said that the brothers were barely involved in the dealing.

For Brunston, Nicholas Barker said Brunston had moved to York in 2005 to get away from drugs and denied that he was travelling back and forth with drugs.

Karl Archer was also jailed for six years, to run concurrently, for a daylight attack in York city centre.

Aaron David Graham, of Ordnance Lane, Fulford, was also jailed indefinitely as a danger to society for his part in the incident.

Graham, 26, and Karl Archer, with others, set upon Martyn Edwards in St Saviourgate, at about 9.30am on December 12, 2005.

"You are a significant danger to members of the public," Judge Jim Spencer QC told Graham.

The judge said he had a duty to give Graham a sentence for public protection.

He ordered that Graham serve a minimum of two years and 124 days for the attack, but he will not be released until the Parole Board is convinced he is reformed.

Graham denied a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, as did Karl Archer. A jury convicted both at York Crown Court last November.

Simon Waley, prosecuting, said Graham punched Mr Edwards. After the victim was knocked to the ground, the group punched and kicked him, leaving him with a broken cheekbone and eye socket, two teeth knocked out and other injuries.

For Graham, Martin Sharpe said he was not the instigator of the attack.

For Archer, Simon Hickey said he was not a dangerous man and his mother was standing by him.