A DRUG dealer who was selling cannabis on Facebook to fund his own habit has avoided a prison sentence - but a judge warned him he won’t get another chance to turn his life around.

Police arrested Luke Hardiman, 25, at his home in Castle Road, Salisbury, on August 21, 2019, where they found more than 90 grams of the Class B drug, weighing scales and £242.29 in cash.

An LG phone was also taken from his pocket on arrest and an iPhone discovered in his bedroom, Winchester Crown Court heard on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Rhianna Fricker said that Hardiman did not give officers the PIN number to his iPhone and it was not until early last year that it was analysed which highlighted that he had been dealing between April and August 2019.

She continued: “A number of messages were recovered which again were consistent with the supply of cannabis.”

Ms Fricker said that the operation was “financially motivated on the basis that money was found at the address”.

Her Honour Judge Angela Morris was told that the drugs found at Hardiman’s home had a street value of £900.

In mitigation, Graham Gilbert said that his client is “still young” and was “even younger at the time of the offence”.

He continued: “He was supplying a drug to which if not addicted to he was a very heavy user. “He was dealing to fund that habit or heavy use and now due to the help of Turning Point has cut back on his use of cannabis significantly.”

The court heard that Hardiman has also now secured a job at Waitrose and has the intention to “secure a permanent slot there as and when one becomes available”.

Mr Gilbert argued that the supermarket worker is now contributing to society, making comparison to his position two years ago when the offences took place.

In sentencing, Judge Morris said: “It appears that in August of 2019 you were arrested and at your home not only was an LG device and scales and 90 grams of cannabis found, also your iPhone was subsequently analysed. There were messages that indicated you were supplying cannabis between April and August.

“It is a very simple equation, those who are drug dealers go to prison.”

But Judge Morris decided to give Hardiman a chance by giving a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, 15 rehabilitation days, 150 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay court costs. She added: “You had your chance that I am giving you, there won’t be another.”

He previously admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

 

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