An Aston Villa chef has been sentenced to four years in prison after being caught supplying heroin.

Antonio Ventura, who spent nine years working for the Premier League club, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that the 36-year-old's drug addiction eventually led to him bagging up 150g of heroin into packages for street dealing.

The Daily Mail quotes Recorder William Mousley QC as saying: "You were trusted and your involvement was at a level higher than a street dealer. I have reached the conclusion your role in the supply of Class A drugs was significant."

Ventura is believed to have earned £800 a month working for Villa.