Drug-dealing musician escapes immediate jail term

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Cannabis
A drug-dealing musician escaped with a suspended sentence after he was caught with more than four-and-a-half ounces of cannabis.

William Phillips, 21, of Norfolk Road, Bircotes, tried to throw a bag out of the bathroom window when police raided his home earlier this year.

However, they found the drugs along with associated paraphernalia at the property, including scales and a cannabis grinder which is used to cut the drugs up to make it smokeable.

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No money was found at the property, but the drugs had a street value of more than £1,200.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court, he admitted a charge of possession with an intent to supply and supplying a class B drug.

Defending barrister Digby Johnson told the court how Williams had only been dealing to his brother and a close friend, with a mobile phone seized at the scene only containing 14 messages associated with drug dealing references.

Mr Johnson described the dealing as a ‘social supply’.

He said that since his arrest Williams had ‘sorted himself out’ and had no previous no convictions or cautions.

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The court heard how he had been at music college but was forced to leave when his father became ill. His father has since passed away.

Judge Michael Stokes QC, Recorder for Nottingham, told him: “You are effectively of good character from the circumstances outlined by Mr Johnson, but you have descended into this activity when things in your life were very difficult.”

He handed Williams a six-month sentence, suspended for a year, ordered him to carry out 120 hours of community service, completing at least seven a week, and made him pay a £15 victim surcharge.

It was ordered that the drugs found be destroyed.

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