TWO drug dealers who supplied cannabis to their friends escaped a jail sentence when they appeared at court.

John Hayton Dillon, 23, of North Street, and Steven John Walsh, 23, of Gladstone View, both Barnoldswick, were each given 100 hours community service and must pay £55 costs.

They admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and supplying the drug, between February 1 and February 19, 1999.

John Wood, prosecuting, told the court police searched Dillon's house and found a small quantity of cannabis on the freezer. Both defendants were arrested.

Officers then went to Walsh's home and found a 56.1 gramme block of cannabis, a knife and some scales.

Walsh said they usually bought 9oz bars for £500 and had purchased six. Dillon said they had bought up to three bars. Both said they smoked cannabis themselves and supplied it to their friends.

For Dillon, John Rusius said the defendant had a "sharing arrangement" with friends. He had been greatly concerned at being in the police station and having the case hanging over his head. It was likely this would give him the "fright" he needed to galvanise himself into action.

Mark Williams, defending Walsh, said the first conviction meant the defendant had lost his good character. Walsh worked full-time, but could do community service and knew full well what that involved.

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