DETECTIVES investigating an unsolved North Yorkshire murder caught a drug dealer in their dragnet.

Murder squad officers never disclosed the identity of the man, who they held on bail for three months in connection with the killing of David Williamson.

But a court yesterday saw him named as Anthony Bower, 28, who lived in the same village as the murdered man.

Police eventually released Bower without charge after arresting him in connection with Mr Williamson's death.

But during a search of Bower's home in Southview, Sutton-on-the-Forest, police found telltale signs of drug-dealing.

And yesterday he was jailed for nine months for selling amphetamines and cannabis to friends over a three-year period.

He had appeared at York Crown Court and admitted seven charges of supplying cannabis or amphetamines.

The court heard a police search of his home uncovered a set of scales and a diary containing names and figures.

Bower admitted dealing to friends for three years, stopping before the time of his arrest.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Frith said Bower had supplied to "associates" who knew him and would telephone him to ask to buy drugs.

Bower worked fitting blinds, lived with his parents in the village and had no previous convictions. He had used amphetamine and cannabis since the age of 15.

For Bower, Nicholas Barker said the offences made up all Bower's offending and most of the information came from his frank, full and candid admissions.

Those he sold were more than associates, they were friends who knew him from the village, from school or through relatives.

He had worked since leaving school, was a hard-working young man and had always been able to buy drugs for himself.

"He's a generous and giving person. Those who weren't in employment or didn't have as much money or access to drugs, sought drugs from him.

"At no point did he go out seeking to market these drugs openly on the streets or in a retail way."

Bower's friends often did not have the money to pay for drugs and instead gave him IOUs.

He had stopped taking drugs and dealing drugs before his arrest on March 31.

"He was arrested in connection with the murder in the village of David Williamson. The defendant had nothing to do with that but he remained on bail for a three-month period."

The police interest caused stress and difficulty for the family in the small community.

"Throughout that period, the police gave out press reports saying they were looking for other people.

"After three months the bail was stopped and he was released. He has not found it possible to go back into the community and he has retreated into his shell and goes out very little."

He submitted a glowing reference from Bower's boss, who said the firm could not operate without him. It only had three staff and Bower was the sole fitter.

Judge Paul Hoffman said there was much to be said for Bower and gave him credit for his guilty plea.

But he said: "You were supplying illicit drugs for a period of three years. You were driving a coach and horses through the law and I'm afraid it's quite impossible to overlook what you've done and sentence you to in any way that does not deprive you of your liberty. The only question is how low can I go?"

Bower was jailed for nine months, but Judge Hoffman said he would only serve half that.

After the case, Det Con Darrin Knight, of Easingwold Police, said the murder inquiry continued.

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, January 03, 2002