Low-level Telford dealer sold drugs to his friends

Christopher Pettitt admitted two counts of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, but Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that he had been a low-level dealer, mainly selling to his close friends for little profit.

The 24-year-old, of Oxford Road, Dawley, was initially stopped by police on March 1, 2015, on suspicion of shoplifting when he was found to be in possession of eight one gram bags of cannabis. He also had a set of scales and drug paraphernalia.

Police searched his home on March 13, 2015, and found a further four gram bag of cannabis, a 15 gram bag in his bedside table and a mobile phone containing messages that, prosecutor David Swinnerton said, showed that he was known for dealing "skunk cannabis".

Mr Swinnerton said: "He accepts that he was making profit from selling cannabis among a small pool of friends. It was very low-level dealing."

In sentencing, Judge Jim Tindal said that, although the crime was low-level, the court took a dim view of those involved in the drugs trade.

Judge Tindal said: "Cannabis is a dangerous drug that has links to mental health problems.

The cannabis trade is something the court takes very seriously.

"You seem a sensible, hard-working man, focus on that and stay away from drugs."

The judge ordered Pettitt to serve a 26-week sentence, suspended for two years and also complete a 28-day rehabilitation course.

Pettitt was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge and costs of £450.