A man exposed as a cannabis dealer after a random search on his birthday night out in Carlisle has been spared immediate prison.
Aidan Smillie was on the verge of turning 22 when he was picked out by door staff while waiting to enter Walkabout bar at 10.30pm on January 25 2020.
Nothing untoward was found on his person, but in a bag he was carrying, bouncers found a cannabis grinder, quantities of the class B drug and other illegally-held substances with a total value of £261.
His phone was recovered and analysed, revealing sent and received messages which indicated his involvement in the supply of cannabis between September 2019, and late January, 2020.
When quizzed by police, Smillie had made full and frank admissions, providing officers with key evidence used in the prosecution which followed, Carlisle Crown Court heard today.
“He said he needed to help his dad with the rent and bills after quitting his job before Christmas,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson.
Smillie, of Brayton Park, Aspatria, admitted being concerned in the supply of both cannabis bush and cannabis resin.
He further admitted illegal possessing the two substances, along with personal use amounts of ecstasy tablets and powder, and psilocin — the main psychoactive ingredient of magic mushrooms.
He had not committed any crimes before or since, was employed, the father of a baby son and, said his barrister, was now a very different young man.
Recorder Philip Grundy suspended a nine-month jail term for two years. Smillie must complete rehabilitation, 120 hours’ unpaid work and an eight-week night time curfew.
“Drugs are frequently the roots of other forms of crime,” said the judge, “and drugs destroy the lives of many.” But the judge added: “This court is confident that you are unlikely to appear before a court again — but if you do, you will be sent to prison.”
