A regional daily paid homage to a beloved children’s television character in its coverage of a drug dealer’s imprisonment.

The Hull Daily Mail dubbed Darren Swaine ‘Postman Pot’, a reference to Postman Pat, after he was jailed for two years and three months for his crimes.

Hull Crown Court heard how Swaine, 41, was using the postal service to distribute the drugs but was caught with a pile of envelopes in his van, all ready to be mailed out to customers.

He was sentenced after admitting to being concerned in producing cannabis and two offences of possessing criminal property.

On its front page on Wednesday, the Mail declared Swaine was now not “a very happy man” – referring to a line from the theme tune of the children’s TV series.

According to the Mail, the court heard Swaine had convictions for seven previous offences, mainly for violence and dishonesty, as well as one for possessing ecstasy in 2000.

Holly Thompson, defending, said that Swaine’s cannabis use increased during the Covid-19 pandemic and he bought growing equipment, leading to his use spiralling out of control.

Judge Sophie McKone told Swaine: “You had a relatively professional operation going on, growing cannabis and using the postal service to supply it.

“This was an enterprise that you involved yourself in where you expected to make a significant profit.”