Drug dealer stashed cannabis in a sweet tub at his father's house

Preston Crown Court heard Timothy Stevens, 27, was living with his dad in Grizedale Crescent, Grange, when police executed a drugs warrant on September 9.

Stevens was taken to the kitchen and asked if there were any drugs on the premises, to which he replied: “Yes, there’s some in the front room, at the side of the couch.”

Officers discovered 80.5g of cannabis in a plastic sweet tub and 558g of cannabis in a carrier bag.

They also found further cannabis in a glass jar and a plastic tub in the kitchen.

Stevens was arrested and admitted the drugs were his.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply 683.9g of class B drugs.

The court heard Stevens has no previous convictions but received a caution for for possession of cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon in 2008, when the drug was class C. He is a carer for his father, who he lives with and has secured work since his arrest.

Judge Heather Lloyd, sentencing, said: “You are in your late 20s.

“Apart from cautions for possession of cannabis in 2008 and possession of an offensive weapon you have no previous convictions. And yet the police were somehow taken to your house where they find £6,000 of cannabis.

“This is a serious matter made more serious by the fact you have that caution when it was a class C.

“Its entirely up to you whether you decide to continue with this trade or not.”

She handed Stevens a 10 month sentence suspended for 18 months and 120 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £240 costs.