AN Army veteran drug dealer caught with more than £150,000 worth of amphetamine in his house has narrowly avoided immediate custody.

Neil Clark had 15.5kg of the Class B drug stored in his flat when police raided his Thirsk home in April 2019.

Officers found the drugs hidden under his bed and in a wardrobe but there was no trace of the suspect.

The former soldier was later found in the Mowbray Arms in the town with cocaine and cash while drinking with friends.

Michael Cahill, prosecuting, said analysis of the drugs confirmed that the amphetamine was worth up to £34,000 wholesale and up to £156,430 at street level.

He said: "In interview the defendant admitted the property was his address; initially he said he had gone out and left the door open and didn't know how the drugs had got there.

"He then went on to say he had a drug debt of between £100 and £150 and as a result he allowed his flat to be used to store drugs.

"He said he had been told that – 'if he didn't keep his mouth shut' – they threatened he would be killed."

The court heard how the 45-year-old has nine convictions for 24 offences.

Clark, of The Dialstone, Thirsk, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and possession of a Class A drug.

Emma Williams, in mitigation, said her client had suffered post traumatic stress disorder following his tours of duty while serving in the army and was pressured into the offence to clear his drug debt.

"He is incredibly sorry and remorseful for his actions," she said. "He feels incredibly stupid that he has become involved in something like this and has found himself before the court at the age of 45.

"He says he would be starting again to try and get his life back on track should the sentence be one of immediate custody. He accepts his previous convictions and has attempted to turn his life around."

She added: "He is under his GP for various medical ailments and is currently on medication and he tells me he believes he is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder following frontline service while in the army."

Judge Recorder Andrew Sutcliffe QC sentenced two years in prison, suspended for two years.

He said: "This was an extremely serious offence because the wholesale value of these drugs was between £17,000 and £34,000 and the street value was more than £150,000, and there distribution would have caused those who purchased the drugs to, no doubt, suffer from further addiction – it is an evil in society that has to be wiped out."

He added: "It was a very close shave that you have avoided going to prison."

Clark was ordered carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and attend 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days.