A DRUG addict from Chippenham who was caught with cannabis worth up to £4,000 was handed a 16-week suspended prison sentence last Thursday.

Paul Nicholas Jennings, of Charter Road, pleaded guilty to possessing the Class B drug with intent to supply 418g of it on February 10.

Prosecutor Michelle Hewitt told North Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court that the 32-year-old was found with 297g of “skunk”, a more potent form of the drug, in a black Mazda in Rowden Hill.

Jennings’ phone was then confiscated, and after finding texts proving that he was supplying drugs, a further search of his house took place where the rest of the stash was found.

In his defence, Mike Pulsford said that since the offence there had been a big change in Jennings’ life, he was trying to wean himself off drugs, he wanted to be part of his son’s life again and he did not want to risk losing his family by reoffending again.

The probation officer added that he had responded well to an accredited programme that makes him more employable and a rehabilitation programme.

Magistrate Nicholas Stephens proposed to send Jennings to prison for 16 weeks, however the sentence was suspended on the condition that he does not commit another offence in the next 18 months.

A 12-month community order was also imposed, along with a £85 victim surcharge and £80 in court costs. The drugs will be destroyed.