A cannabis addict who turned to dealing to fund his own habit has walked free from court after he was given a warning that if he offends again, he will be heading straight to prison.

Dylan Pounder’s nervous reaction to being pulled over by police resulted in him being arrested in connection with supplying cannabis to a large group of friends.

The 23-year-old was stopped by officers when he was driving his white Mercedes along Ingleby Barwick Way, Ingleby Barwick, and they could smell the strong aroma of cannabis.

Teesside Crown Court heard how a search of his motor resulted in the recovery of a quantity of the Class B drug from him pocket and a jacket.

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Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said the officers also recovered two mobile phones and forensic analysis of the handsets revealed a number of messages offering drugs for sale to his friends.

She said more drugs were found in the wardrobe of his bedroom during a subsequent search of his home in Stockton.

“The officers were aware of strong smell of cannabis and the defendant appeared to be nervous,” she said.

“He admitted he had cannabis on him, a search found cannabis in his pocket and in his jacket. Two mobile phones and cash was also recovered.”

Miss Lamballe said police experts valued all of the recovered drugs as £3,350.

Pounder, of Fordy Grove, Stockton, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis following his arrest on January 19 last year.

Simon Walker, mitigating, said the defendant turned to dealing to fund his drug habit after he lost his job and had been kicked out of his parents’ home following his arrest.

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“This was dealing to a number of people who he personally knew,” he said. “He appears to have sent them (messages) to 23 people in total – all of them he knew and all of them smoked cannabis like he did.”

Recorder Lawrence McDonald sentenced the drug dealer to six months in custody but he suspended the order for 18 months.

He said: “This is your one chance; I urge you to take it. If you are before the court as a drug dealer again, you will be more than likely by going to prison.”

Pounder was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days to avoid a prison sentence.