A DRUG dealer who ran his lucrative operation from the bedroom he shared with his little brother has walked free from court.

Connor Moran supplied a 16-year-old lad who was selling a designer strain of super-strong cannabis and reporting back to him.

And as well as his stock of the drug the 21-year-old also had scales, knives and a machine gun-style BB gun.

He also had thousands in cash, including almost £300 in coins in a variety of jars, as well as a collection of designer trainers – even though he wasn’t working.

But after hearing he was a low risk of reoffending Judge Robert Pawson imposed a suspended sentence.

Rob Welling, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court police raided Moran’s family home on Thursday, February 21.

In the bedroom they seized 301g of Purple Strardawg cannabis with £1,095 in notes, £290 of coins, and a further £700 was found elsewhere during the search.

They also uncovered the scales, deal bags, weapons, footwear and mobile phones which had messages relating to the dealing.

Mr Welling said texts between Moran and the teenager talked about how much the youngster was selling and what profit was being made.

“That person was acting either as an associate or working under his instruction,” Mr Welling said.

Moran, of Lennox Drive, Walcot, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Probation officer Michelle James said he had told her he was a regular user and last October started buying in bulk and then selling some to friend.

She said “It has had a big impact on his family, as well, as a result of the police search. Now social service involvement with the search and his two younger siblings.

“He shared the bedroom with a younger brother at the time where some of the items were found.”

Adam Williams, defending, said that while he accepted supplying the teenager, who was also dealing, he was not directing him.

He said he had left school at 16 and obtained a CSCS card with a view to working as a labourer but all the work was out of town and he can’t drive.

“He has described this experience as being a real eye-opener for him,” he said. "What he wants to do is he wants to prove to the court that he can become an upstanding member of society.

Passing sentence, the judge said: “Between October last year and February this year you were dealing cannabis which you may, wholly wrongly, think is relatively harmless.

“All the evidence suggests that cannabis use has a significant adverse effect on the mental health of young people.”

He imposed a 10-month jail term suspended for 18 months with a four month curfew, 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 hours at an attendance centre.