Telford drug addict set up house like a shop
A man set up his home like a shop to feed his own cannabis addiction, a court heard.
Stuart Jones sold cannabis, tobacco and tobacco-related items from his former address and was arrested after a police raid, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.
Police had information drugs were being sold at the house and obtained a warrant before raiding the property on September 2, said Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting.
"A Mr Thompson was leaving the property and indicated he had bought a £10 bag of cannabis from that premises," said Mr Searle.
The court heard it had been described as "shop-type premises" and Jones had previously sold the tobacco items on a market stall.
Police found 159 grammes of skunk cannabis, about £405 in cash along with a mobile phone and a prohibited gas spray.
The drugs are believed to have a value of about £1,600 to £2,400.
The court heard that Jones had 23 convictions for 51 offences including 10 drug offences, one of which landed him with a four-year prison sentence.
Judge Robin Onions said: "It is rare to come across a record where someone has eight similar convictions for possession of A and B category drugs.
"I would have thought a four-year prison sentence would have been a clear warning to you that with drug offences there would be a price to pay. You sold a significant quantity of cannabis because you wanted to fund your own addiction."
Jones, 31, of Station Hill, Oakengates, Telford, was sentenced to 14 months in prison and will serve half on licence.
He admitted possessing controlled drugs with intent to supply and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Michael Sherwood-Smith, for Jones, said there was a "glimmer of hope" as he had reduced his cannabis use and was expecting a baby with his partner.
Judge Onions said: "You cannot go on breaking the law. I do not know if you will have a son or a daughter, but evidence shows sons of criminals have a two out of three likelihood of repeating their father's mistakes. I expect it is not a future you would want for your son."
He added: "I hope you get more enjoyment looking after your child than from dugs."
