A CANNABIS dealer found in possession of drugs and cash during a police search has received a suspended prison sentence.

Loren Thomas Winters, 21, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court for sentence after admitting a charge of possessing a class B drug with intent to supply.

Prosecutor Jennie Rickman said that on March 17 police executed a search warrant at an address in Bridport and found the defendant there with his girlfriend.

They discovered a number of drug related items including scales, as well as 10.75grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of just over £100. Officers also found £475 in cash.

Miss Rickman said: “The defendant was arrested and interviewed in respect of the cannabis and initially said it was for personal use because he was suffering from depression.

“He was then asked if there was anything on his mobile phone that would indicate otherwise and without police having to carry out analysis of the phone he admitted there was evidence on the mobile phone and that he was dealing to friends in order to fund his own habit.”

The court was told Winters, of Port Court, Bradpole, had no previous convictions and Joanna Morrissey, mitigating, said he had only been involved in dealing to a small circle of friends for a couple of months.

She said that he was already taking steps to tackle his alcohol problem.

Judge Roger Jarvis sentenced Winters to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for one year.

He also imposed a 12-month community order with supervision and residence requirements as well as a requirement to attend an alcohol treatment course for six months.