A DRUG dealer who was selling heroin and crack cocaine to fund his skunk addiction has walked free from court.

Liam Harvey was told he was being spared a jail term because he had stayed out of trouble for a year and now had a stable job and accommodation.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court police raided his home on May 8 last year and found two wraps of heroin, one of cocaine and three mobile phones, one of which contained messages relating to the trade in drugs.

Harvey, 23, of Wilcot Avenue, Penhill, pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client was right at the bottom of the chain of supply and was dealing to friends to pay off his own debt. He said he had not been a addict of class A drugs but had been a heavy user of skunk cannabis and had a number of previous convictions.

Recorder Ian Lawrie QC imposed an 18 month jail term suspended for two years and ordered he do 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

He added: “Become a constructive citizen for society.”