Durham man started dealing cannabis to fund habit after losing job during Covid pandemic

Michael King was found in possession of 10 bags of cannabis and over £670 in cash when police stopped him in a car on July 16, 2020.

When arrested, the 23-year-old “admitted the offences quickly” and said he had been selling the class B drug to friends in order to fund his own addiction.

Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, said that when King was arrested, he told officers that some of the cannabis that was found was for “personal use to help with anxiety and depression” as well as to sell to friends.

“He said he made £140 a week selling it and that that would be enough for food and petrol.

Amrit Jandoo, defending, said King had no previous convictions and that he began selling cannabis after the loss of his zero hour contract job, which he lost during the covid pandemic.

Sentencing King, of Bamburgh Road, Durham, Judge Robert Spragg, said he “admitted the offences quickly” and was “frank” with the police and that he had been “selling to fund your own addiction”.

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