A Burnley chip shop boss who supplied amphetamine two years ago but has now turned over a new leaf has been spared jail.

Craig Oldfield, then a "chronic" addict, dealt to people he knew who were drug users to fund his habit.

The defendant, then staying at the Clay Street, Burnley, home of his friend Darvin Shaw, had amphetamine worth up to £3,000 and police also found £5,000 in cash when they searched the property.

Shaw turned a blind eye to what was going on, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Oldfield, now a father, part-owner of the chip shop and said to be drug-free, kept his freedom even though a judge said prison was justified.

Recorder Micheal Hilton said Oldfield's supply had not been wider or more public than people he associated with, the defendant had kept away from drugs and was now a family man.

He continued: "There is evidence to show you have made real concrete efforts to do something with your life since these offences were committed.

"Because of that my view is that you should be given one opportunity to show you have brought some form of order and organisation into your life."

Oldfield, of Greenock Street, admitted possessing amphetamine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis and cannabis resin.

He was given a two year community rehabilitation order, with the Think Programme.

Shaw, of Como Avenue, pleaded guilty to allowing premises to be used for the supply or attempted supply of amphetamine and possessing cannabis.

He was given an 18 month community rehabilitation order with supervision.

Both men, aged 35 and from Burnley, must pay £500 costs. Oldfield will face a proceeds of crime hearing at a later date.

Robert Elias, prosecuting, told the court that in October 2004, police went to Clay Street to arrest Oldfield on suspicion of theft and found amphetamine and £5,000.

They also discovered things associated with drug dealing such as a mobile phone, laptop computer, cling film, electric scales, rulers contaminated with drugs and paper with telephone numbers on.

Mr Elias said the cash was examined and, while nearly all money these days showed traces of drugs, it showed more than would be expected.

In total, amphetamine of eight per cent purity and worth between £1,572 and £3,054 on the streets was seized as well as some cannabis.

Oldfield had 10 previous convictions for drugs offences, but nothing for supply.

Shaw had previous convictions for possessing cannabis.

Mark Stuart, for Oldfield, said the defendant had been a long-term drug user and had managed to fund his habit.

He then became a chronic addict and sold amphetamine to people he knew.

Oldfield accepted the starting point was custody even though the supply was at the lower end of the scale and did not involve Class A controlled drugs.

The defendant knew his conduct was unacceptable and was remorseful.

It was not suggested he had turned people who did not take drugs into users or got young people involved.

Mr Stuart told the court Oldfield had not offended since and had made significant changes to his lifestyle.

He and another person had bought a chip shop for £6,000 but it was currently subject to a compulsory purchase order.

For Shaw, Philip Holden said Oldfield had stayed at the defendant's property as he had nowhere else to go.

Shaw had started to offend in 1999 after a road accident.

He suffered a serious back injury and took cannabis to ease the pain.

The offences did not warrant custody.