A DEALER who turned his home into a cannabis convenience store was spared jail yesterday.
Leonard Overton, 23, was collared after police raided his flat in St Mark's Way, South Shields, South Tyneside, and found 18 blocks of cannabis resin - 16 of which were wrapped in tin foil.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how scales used to weigh out the deals were also found.
Overton admitted possession of a Class C drug with intent to supply.
Judge John Evans sentenced him to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months and a community punishment order for 200 hours. He was also ordered to pay £398 costs.
The court was told Overton had a previous drugs conviction for possessing ecstasy tablets which he tried to take into a local nightclub in May last year.
The judge warned him: "Any offence of supplying illicit drugs is a serious offence. If you continue down this path you will find yourself coming before the court to face a lengthy custodial sentence."
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