Drug addict is spared jail over cannabis haul

By mercury court reporter at stafford crown court

A DRUG user caught with a stash of cannabis to share with friends at Christmas has been spared a prison sentence.

Police carried out a search at the home of Robert Howell in Clegg Road, Burntwood, and found six bags of the drug with a street value of £270, Stafford Crown Court was told on Friday (July 2).

Pat Sullivan, prosecuting, said officers also seized a pair of scales, a grinder, some unused self-seal bags and a mobile phone that containing incoming text messages requesting drugs during the raid.

Howell, aged 35, who admitted possessing drugs on December 16 last year with intent to supply was given a 12-month community order.

Sentencing, Recorder Mr Benjamin Nicholls told him: "You are going into very dangerous water – If this had been a larger operation you would be going to prison."

Lynette McClement, for Howell, said: "The search was done just before Christmas.

"There had been an agreement by 10 people to bulk buy cannabis for Christmas.

"At the time police were searching the premises, three people turned up to take their share of it.

"There is now a genuine desire on his part to rid himself of his habit."