Drug dealer caught with more than £2,000 worth of cannabis spared jail

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Ryan McLaughlin, aged 23, of Woodland Drive, North Anston, Rotherham, was caught by police with bags of cannabis and a cannabis cultivation set-up at his former flat on Wales Road, Kiveton Park, Rotherham.

Recorder Craig Hassall QC told McLaughlin during the hearing on July 19: “The police attended your home address in connection with an entirely unrelated matter and discovered a quantity of cannabis large enough to be indicative of your intention to supply it.”

Deborah Smithies, prosecuting, said police had visited the flat searching for a woman, whom they found, but while they were there officers discovered bags of cannabis valued at £2,605.80, as well as £520 in cash and a hydroponic cannabis set-up in the roof space.

McLaughlin, who is of previous good character, pleaded guilty to possessing the class B drug with intent to supply after the incident in November, 2019.

Rebecca Stevens, defending, said: “He comes from what can be described as a difficult adolescence but he has proved to be a productive, hard working member of society.”

Ms Stevens added McLaughlin started using cannabis when he was in a hostel but he has now stopped using the drug.

She said he is remorseful and he had been under the influence of others.

Recorder Hassall sentenced McLaughlin to 10 months of custody suspended for 18 months with a rehabilitation requirement and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £1,500 costs and a confiscation order was made for the £520 in cash seized.

CRIME: Burglar caught on camera breaking into elderly Sheffield man's home as he slept

COURT: Sheffield thug spared from jail after hitting woman three times