POLICE attending a house conducting other inquiries found cannabis and cash to a level indicative of dealing, a court heard.

Officers went to Corbyn Farn’s home intending to arrest him for alleged malicious communication, on January 9 this year.

But Durham Crown Court heard that on conducting a search the officers came across an amount of cannabis under the stairs and in the kitchen.

They also found a number of zip bags and a set of scales, plus £6,500 in cash which was recovered from around the home, along with a machete.

Stephen Littlewood, prosecuting, said it was all “indicative” of dealing direct to users, “with the expectation of significant financial gain.”

Mr Littlewood said Farn made it clear to the officers that the drugs had nothing to do with his partner.

The 28-year-old defendant, of Marlborough, in Seaham, indicated he would admit drug charges, when he appeared before magistrates recently.

Appearing at a crown court plea hearing, via video link from Durham Prison, Farn admitted possessing a class B drug with intent to supply to others.

He also admitted possessing criminal property, the £6,500, knowing it represented the whole or part of proceeds of criminal conduct.

The court was told he has nine convictions for 14 offences, but only one for a drug-related offence, simple cannabis possession in October 2010.

But Mr Littlewood said Farn did serve a 21-month sentence imposed for unlawful wounding and affray in 2019.

Read more: Accused pair admit using 'excessive' force in street clash

Martin Scarborough, mitigating, said since his arrest, Farn has been on remand in prison and has contracted Covid, while there has also been a bereavement in his family.

Recorder Jamie Hill told Mr Scarborough: “Although this does cross the custody threshold, given that he’s had another taste of custody, I’m minded to pass a suspended sentence order in this case.

The Recorder told Farn: “As you know, when police came knocking on your door, on January 9, they weren’t coming looking for drugs, but they found cannabis, plus various bits and pieces suggesting you were dealing to people on the street.”

Recorder Hill said Farn’s probation background report indicated he was using drugs heavily having witnessed an accident at work.

“That’s no excuse, however, but It seems what you were doing was that you weren’t just obtaining drugs for yourself, but you were also selling to others.”

Imposing a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, he ordered the defendant to complete 120-hours’ unpaid work and take part in 20 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.

Crime proceeds inquiries will now take place to see what can be confiscated from the defendant.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054