A MAN who ‘drifted’ into cannabis use when depression hit over the hair-loss condition alopecia ended up running a street-level dealing operation from his home, a court heard.

Kamran Javed, 27, who had never been in trouble with the law before, had cannabis with a street value of almost £3,000, and more than £3,600 in cash ‘strewn around’ in a locked bedroom when police raided his house in Burnley, in May.

The town's crown court was told how factory worker Javed was said to have become isolated, and depressed, because of the alopecia. He started to use cannabis, but become more and more isolated, and used more drugs. After his arrest, Javed, said to have started selling cannabis after buying it in bulk, had taken steps to kick his habit.

The defendant, of Abel Street, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply. He will face a proceeds of crime hearing at a later date. He was spared jail and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, with 12 months’ supervision and a 12-week curfew.

Javed’s barrister said “He has made very determined efforts to change his lifestyle and he has succeeded.”