A SOUTH Cumbria cannabis user who began dealing drugs after his life spiralled out of control has been spared jail.

‪Kevin Paul Moore, 56, served a jail term almost two decades ago for dealing heroin although his offending halted in 2010.‬

‪However, Moore was back in trouble on February 21 when police executed a search warrant at his Craig Walk home in Bowness-on-Windermere.‬

‪More than 111g of cannabis, a Class B drug, was found in three separate locations - worth up to £2,190 on the street.‬

‪“The defendant was arrested and made full and frank admissions in interview,” prosecutor Kim Whittlestone told Carlisle Crown Court.

“He fully admitted he was a cannabis user.‬

‪“He said he was selling cannabis to fund his own habit but also to supplement his benefits. He was selling to an average of a dozen people.”‬

The court heard Moore had been out of trouble since 2010 and worked as a chef. But after going blind in his left eye having suffered from iritis, he lost his job and began using cannabis.‬

“His life spiralled out of control at that point,” revealed Matthew Howarth, defending. “He bought bulk cannabis and tried to make some financial gain on the side."‬

Moore admitted possession with intent to supply and given a seven month jail term, suspended for 18 months and ordered to comply with a curfew.

Recorder Nicholas Clarke QC warned him even simple future drug possession could land him in prison, saying: “If you want to go to jail, get yourself some cannabis - your choice.”