A FIRST-TIME offender who peddled cannabis to friends has kept his freedom.

Jason Dean Ramsey, 22, had a large block of the drug in the kitchen and also had a 'dealer's list,' weighing scales and cling film, Burnley magistrates heard.

Ramsey, a driver, was given 240 hours community service after the bench told him what he had done was very serious but he was of previous good character.

Ramsey, of Moore Street, Burnley, must also pay £60 costs. He admitted supplying cannabis resin and possessing it with intent to supply, as well as handling stolen goods. Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said police searched Ramsey's home. Another man present had a sixteenth of an ounce of cannabis resin and two pieces of the drug were found in Ramsey's pockets.

Officers found drugs paraphernalia - the cling film, knife and list. They also discovered electronic weighing scales which had been stolen from Ivy Bank School.

Dylan Bradshaw, defending, said there was no evidence Ramsey was making any profit from his activities. He did not sell cannabis to strangers or individuals he did not know but to a small group of people.

Ramsey had worked from leaving school until he was made redundant in February. A recreational user of cannabis, he was effectively put under pressure to supply a small group of people.

Ramsey, who did not have a lavish lifestyle, had been dreading his court appearance. He knew he might not be leaving court of his own free will.

People who knew Ramsey were astounded he was appearing in court for the first time for such activities and he was embarrassed and ashamed at letting down his mother.

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