Telford cannabis dealer is spared jail term
A Telford father-of-three who started supplying cannabis to pay off his own drug debts has been spared a jail sentence.
Diego Thompson was found with cannabis and nearly £300 cash on him when officers turned up to raid his home in Madeley, Telford.
An examination of his phone found more than 5,000 texts on it mainly relating to offers to others to supply the class B drug, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
Thompson, formerly of Meadowlea, Madeley, but now living at Paradise, Coalbrookdale, had previously admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
The 29-year-old appeared at Shrewsbury yesterday to be sentenced.
Mr Alex Warren, prosecuting, said: "On January 9 this year police attended a flat in Meadowlea, Madeley. They were there to execute a search warrant but before entering four men left the flat. One of them was the defendant.
"They got into a Seat Leon and were about to drive off when police stopped them. The defendant was found in possession of a grip seal bag containing between £20 and £30 worth of skunk cannabis and £280 cash, along with a key to the flat."
He said officers searched the flat and found three more packs of skunk cannabis, said to be worth £30 to £45, as well as scales and other drug paraphernalia.
"By far the most damning evidence, however, was found on the defendant's mobile phone," the prosecutor continued.
"There were more than 5,000 texts on there, mostly relating to the supply of cannabis. It is what would be classed as a dealer phone. There were around 30 group ads – messages sent out to more than one contact advertising the sale of cannabis. One had been sent to 124 numbers."
Mr Paul Smith, for Thompson, said his client had started selling cannabis as a way to pay off money other dealers had lent to him. He said he was keen to change his ways and get off drugs for his children.
Sentencing him, Judge Peter Barrie said: "You have got a long history of being a user of illegal drugs. But I am told you want to change and I am encouraged and persuaded by probation officers who ask me to consider making a drug rehabilitation order in your case."
Thompson was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to undertake a drug rehabilitation programme for six months, be supervised by the probation service for 18 months and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
