A CANNABIS dealer from Buckley has been spared a prison term after a court was told how he was mending his ways and turning to God.

Christopher Jenkinson was found with cannabis with a street value of £590 as well as cash and drug paraphernalia when police executed a search warrant at his home on Chester Road.

An address book with a list of clients was also found and there was evidence that deals worth £2,975 had passed through his books.

As he suspended Jenkinson’s eight-month sentence for 12 months, Judge Niclas Parry noted a reference supporting him from the Ebenezer Baptist Church in the town whose rallying call “Come grow with us” he hoped the defendant would not be taking literally in future.

Prosecutor David Mainstone told Mold Crown Court that police executed a drug warrant at Jenkinson’s home and seized two mobile phones, a plastic bag with the cannabis, electronic scales and £985 cash in a pocket of a pair of jeans.

Jenkinson told police he had bought the cannabis for a group of friends for £200 which he paid in advance.

But messages on a Nokia phone showed two-way conversations with customers wanting the drug on tick.

Jenkinson, 35, of Chester Road, Buckley admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of criminal property on February 19 this year.

The court was told he was addicted to the drug and his dealing was funding his own long-standing habit which he did to self-medicate his anxiety.

But now, as he is “an active member of a church community” he will get help, it was said.

Judge Parry told Jenkinson he must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and 150 hours of unpaid work and told him: “You took a risk and you have to face the consequences.”