A CHEF from Lyneham MoD base who was supplementing his income by dealing cannabis has walked from court.

Luke Lumsdon was found to have the drugs wrapped up and priced when police searched his house after finding him in a car in the early hours of Sunday, May 1.

But after hearing that Lumdson, 25, had never been in trouble before, and was the sole breadwinner for his partner and their four-year-old child, a judge imposed a suspended jail sentence.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that police in the Flaxlands area of Royal Wootton Bassett smelled cannabis coming from his parked car.

When they searched him they found he had four £10 deals of the drug along with a cannabis grinder and some cash.

They then went to his house where they found a further £200 of the drugs, already packaged, along with scales and plastic snap bags of different sizes.

“These bags were labelled ready for sale, some of the bags were labelled £10 and some were labelled £20,” she said.

His mobile phone was seized and found to be littered with messages relating to the sale of cannabis.

As well as individual texts, others were sent in bulk to 10 to 15 at a time saying he had drugs ready for supply.

Lumsdon, of Roundhouse Drive, Royal Wootton Bassett, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing the drug and ketamine.

Giving an oral report probation officer Michelle James tod the court that he lived with his partner and their four-year-old child.

Although he had no previous convictions she said there had been issues with his girlfriend who disapproved of his drug use.,

She said that he had started selling cannabis as he was struggling to fund his £10 a day habit on his income from Lyneham, where is a chef.

Andrew Hobson, defending, said he had not told his bosses about the matter and could lose his job when they find out.

He said that he had managed to cut down his own use to just £10 a week and had not made much money from what he was doing.

“Other than this case he seems to be a fairly admirable young man. He works full time as a chef, he is a hard worker,” he said.

Mr Hobson said that as well as supporting his family he also helped look after his grandparents, who live nearby.

Passing sentence Judge Tim Mousley QC said that the matter was so serious that it merited a jail term.

But he said :“Having heard everything Michelle James has told me and everything urged upon me by Mr Hobson I have come to the conclusion I can suspend it.”

He imposed and eight month sentence, suspended for 18 months with 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work.