Shropshire man, 20, spared jail for dealing cannabis
A Shropshire man was found to be running his own "small scale commercial enterprise" after a quantity of drugs, cash and paraphernalia were discovered at his home, a court heard.
Joshua Gordon was spared prison after he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentencing.
He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply.
Kevin Jones, prosecuting, told of how, on June 8 last year, officers searched Gordon's home in Applewood Heights, West Felton, near Oswestry.
They found a total of £365 in cash as well as digital scales, cling film and five different packages of cannabis, which weighed about an ounce in total.
Gordon, 20, was arrested and interviewed, and admitted he was selling to friends but wasn't making any money.
However, messages on his phone showed he was dealing to friends – and for profit.
Mr Jones said Gordon sent between six and nine people text messages, informing them when "drugs were in stock".
He added: "He was running a small scale commercial enterprise supplying cannabis."
The court heard how Gordon was of previous good character.
Sentencing Gordon, Recorder Martin Jackson said: "As a user, you knew there was a chance to supply your friends.
"This supply was for your own profit, despite what you'd initially told police."
Mr Jackson noted that the quantity of cannabis was a "relatively small" amount and sentenced Gordon to six months in a young offenders institution, suspended for two years.
He also ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a contribution to costs of £250.
Gordon was also fined £100 for failing to surrender to court, after arriving late for the hearing.
A forfeiture and destruction order has also been made for the drugs and paraphernalia and the money that was found was also seized.
