Man dealt in drugs '“ while on court order

Callum Simpson, 23, of Byward Drive, Scarborough, made £1,000 while under a community order following a court rap for a public order offence.

He was arrested for the dealing offences when police searched a property on Chantry Road, East Ayton, and found a stash of skunk cannabis, growing equipment, a cannabis plant and £1,000 in cash.

Simpson was charged with producing cannabis and possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply.

He admitted the offences and appeared for sentence at York Crown Court on Monday.

Prosecuting barrister Ben Caning said the 13g of skunk would have sold for about £130 on the street. If the cannabis plant had flowered, it would have fetched several hundred pounds.

During the police raid on October 8 last year, officers also seized mobile phones with giveaway text messages showing that Simpson had been dealing since July.

“It is clear that he was working with at least one other person as they had discussed what they had earned,” said Mr Canning.

Simpson’s solicitor advocate David Camidge said his client had no previous convictions for drug offences and was now looking for work as a labourer.

But Judge Mr Kelson QC disputed the defence claim that Kelson’s dealing operation was a “small enterprise” because of the considerable sums he had made.

Simpson was given a 10-month jail sentence, but this was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work and pay a court surcharge.