A drug dealer has been given the chance to prove he has turned his life around after a judge decided his ‘exceptional’ personal circumstances kept him out of prison.
Stephen Watson started to deal drugs to fund his own addiction when his life spiralled out of control.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the 47-year-old was caught in possession of cocaine and cannabis as well as a stash of amphetamine that he was selling.
When police searched his home officers also recovered weighing scales and a mobile phone.
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The court heard how the defendant also had £435 in cash on him when he was arrested.
Watson of Tithe Barn Road, Stockton, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply amphetamine as well as charges of possession of cocaine and cannabis.
Gary Wood, mitigating, said the father-of-two was struggling with his own cocaine addiction at the time of his offending and the mother of his two children had since died.
Judge Chris Smith sentenced Watson to six months in prison suspended for 12 months and ordered him to attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 60 hours of unpaid work.
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He said: “You’re nearly 48, you’re getting too old to be coming to Crown Court for these offences.
“There is some hope that it is coming to an end, you haven’t been in trouble for a little while now but here you are to be sentenced for some drug dealing which is not your usual kind of criminal activity.
“There was somewhat of a crisis in your life at the time, and not for the first time, where you have turned to drugs and this time you went a little bit further by becoming involved in selling amphetamine or even holding it for somebody else.
“Your personal circumstances are such that your situation is quite exceptional and you are suitable for a suspended sentence.”
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