Mark Cavendish's brother gets six years after police drugs bust

The brother of star sprinter Mark Cavendish has been jailed for six years for importing drugs to the Isle of Man. Andrew Cavendish, aged 23, received the sentence after pleading guilty to charges of importing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply.

News of his brother’s imprisonment, and the unwelcome publicity that comes with it, come at a time when the HTC-Columbia rider is struggling to recapture his form after his start to the 2010 season was disrupted by dental problems.

Two other men, Christopher Ackers from Liverpool and Matthew Teare of Peel also received prison sentences for their part in the conspiracy, reports the BBC.

Officers from the Isle of Man Police who had placed the trio under surveillance saw Ackers being met at the island’s Sea Terminal by Cavendish. The pair drove to Baldwin, where police arrested them and found drugs with a value of £67,800 in a spare tyre.

Detective Constable Paul Holland said: "This is a very good result and shows that we are determined to stamp out drugs on the island.”

He added: "On the whole the Isle of Man is a safe place to live and we will severely punish anyone who attempts to jeopardise this."