‍Former "The Only Way is Essex" star Mike Hassini will be jailed for more than six years after selling a kilo of cocaine for £36,000.

The 27 years old reality star turned fitness trainer was seen by police handing a brown cardboard box containing the Class A drugs to 23 year old Gary Bear.

The cocaine was later found in Bear's grey Mercedes and £36,495 in cash was discovered in a blue plastic bag in the black Smart car being driven by Hassini, when they were stopped in Hornchurch, east London.

A raid on the home of the parents of Hassini's girlfriend uncovered another 300g stash of cocaine, a press and £1,670 in cash, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Mike pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of criminal cash.

Bear, of Hornchurch, admitted conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and possessing criminal property after more than £12,000 in cash was found in his family home.

Judge Richard Inyundo jailed Hassini for six years and nine months and sentenced Bear to five years and three months imprisonment.

Police also arrested his girlfriend on suspicion of drug dealing, but later released her after it became clear she was not involved in the drug operation.

Prosecutor Sean Sullivan told the court Hassini's cocaine was between 85 per cent and 98 per cent pure.

Troubled young man

Judge Kwame Inyundo said: "Mr Hassini, it is clear you had an important role supplying high-value drugs destined for street supply.

"You must have had some awareness of the scale of the operation.

"You are not the only two young men to find themselves in difficulty as a result of the pandemic, but people who are in far worse situations than you do not make the decision to go into criminality.""It must be observed that both of you knew what you were doing, and you did so with eyes wide open."

In December 2016, then aged 22, the former reality TV star escaped jail after he was convicted of kicking a female custody officer after drunkenly crashing his Mercedes.

He was being held at Charing Cross police station when he assaulted detention officer Suzanne Werth in the early hours of August 15, 2016.

Hassini had admitted drink driving but he was convicted of assault by beating after a one day trial at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court.

He was ordered to perform 180 hours of unpaid work, pay £85 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge. Hassini was also disqualified from driving for 21 months.