A DRUG dealer from Rossendale whose life has been beset by tragedy was spared jail by a crown court recorder after being caught with more than £2,000 worth of cannabis.

Window fitter Andonis Demetriou, 36, was found to have a series of deals, pre-prepared in a carrier bag, when police raided the home of his then-partner Victoria Tattersall in Woodside Crescent, Newchurch.

Demetriou was out at the time but he confirmed in mobile telephone calls to officers that the drugs were nothing to do with Miss Tattersall.

He admitted to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of criminal property in relation to £250 in cash which was also retrieved by police from the property at the time of the raid.

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said that the defendant had six previous convictions for 14 separate offences but had nothing on his record for drugs-related matters.

Keith Harrison, defending, said his client had not been dealing for profit but had his own heavy addictions to cannabis and alcohol, which he was funding through selling the drug to people he knew.

The defendant had made a number of admissions to police, when he spoke to officers during the raid by mobile phone, which he had confirmed when formally interviewed later.

Demetriou, now of Market Street, Edenfield, worked as a window fitter but had suffered illness recently and his employment was sporadic, the court heard.

Mr Harris also told the court that the defendant had a son of his own and was still coming to terms with the tragic death of his brother.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported in 2008 how Demetriou's brother, Nick Rushton, had taken his own life after struggling to come to terms with the murder of his mother.

Mr Rushton was only eight when his mother Doreen was murdered by their father Nicos Demetriou at a women's care home in Police Street, Darwen.

The father was later jailed for life for the 1980 killing. He died shortly after being deported back to his native Cyprus.

Mr Rushton's death, after he moved from Rossendale to Leicestershire, was due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Recorder Andrew Long, passing sentence for Andonis Demetriou's drugs offences this week, said: "This was the first offence for offending of this kind."

Demetriou was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 12 months probation supervision, on condition he attends an alcohol treatment programme. He must also complete 180 hours community service.