Cannabis addict from Exeter turned to dealing to fund habit  

A cannabis addict who turned to dealing to fund his habit was caught when police found a message on his mobile offering ‘do you want some smoke, mate?'.

Duane Nicholls was ordered to receive help with drug rehabilitation after police found £349 worth of skunk at his home in Exeter.

The 28-year-old unemployed father had been taking drugs since he was a teenager and had spiralled into addiction to cannabis, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Nicholls, of Guinness Lane, Exwick, Exeter, admitted possession with intent to supply and offering to supply cannabis and was ordered to receive drug and alcohol treatment as part of 12 months supervision by Judge Elizabeth Rylands.

Mr Jonathan Barnes, prosecuting, said plain clothes police were on patrol in Exwick in January after receiving intelligence about drug dealing in the area.

He said:"The defendant was stop checked and when he was told he was going to be searched he produced a bag of cannabis containing 1.93 grams which he said was for his own use.

"Police seized his mobile phone and told him they were going to search his house. He told them they would find an ounce of cannabis there and they did so.

"They also found digital scales and snap bags and the total amount of cannabis seized was 34.98 grams with an estimated street value of £349.80.

"The mobile phone produced surprisingly little data which may suggest messages had been deleted. However, there were some consistent with drug supply including one in particular which read ‘do you want some smoke mate'."

Nicholls told police he was a heavy user of the drug and spent £50 a week on it which he saved up from his benefits.

Miss Emily Cook, defending, said Nicholls had only sold drugs to a small group of friends to subsidise his own habit but now realises he needs help to overcome his dependence on the drug.

She said the probation report writer had been impressed by his commitment to change his habits and his devotion to his young family.

Judge Elizabeth Rylands told him:"You started dabbling with cannabis at an early age but your habit grew and spiralled into what you now recognise to be a significant addiction.

"You recognise you need help to sort yourself out and say you also have significant debts. The community will benefit if you are helped to overcome your addiction and become a law abiding member of the community."

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Cannabis-addict-Exeter-turned-dealing-fund-habit/story-22916540-detail/story.html 12/09/2014