Drug dealer caught with cannabis in Telford given suspended sentence
A man who was caught dealing drugs in the street has been given a suspended period of custody.
Reece Garratt, 20, was found with quantities of cannabis after he and others were arrested in Madeley over unrelated matters.
He told police officers it was for his own use, but messages on mobile phones showed that he had been street dealing.
Appearing before Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday he was given 15 months in a Young Offender's Institution suspended for 18 months.
Garratt, of Harding Wood, Lightmoor Village, Telford, had admitted to a charge of possession of drugs with intent to supply.
Recorder Martin Jackson said at the time of the offence Garratt was only 18 but had chosen to deal cannabis to his friends.
He said he had taken into account that Garratt had a consistent work record which was to his credit and the offence was 18 months ago.
Garratt was ordered to complete rehabilitation and thinking skills programmes, must carry out 120 hours' unpaid work and pay £700 costs.
Police officers had also seized £612 in cash which, along with the drugs, was forfeited.
Mr Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, said that the defendant was seen in Park Lane, Madeley, in August 2015 and he and several others were arrested by police officers for unrelated matters.
He said officers searched Garratt's shoulder bag and found three clear zip lock bags containing cannabis which he said was for himself.
Mr Beardwell said that Garratt also had a holdall bag with him which contained more cannabis which again he said was also for personal use and he told officers that he regularly spent about £70 to £80 a day on drugs.
However, officers recovered the cash and two mobile phones which were analysed and revealed evidence of street dealing.
Between June and August there were messages with slang terms relating to the supply of cannabis and references to various deals, weights and amounts of money.
