KNIVES and an ornamental sword were found at the home of a drug dealer when police raided the property.

Jamie Scott Mitchell, 22, of Lexham Green Close, Buckley, has been handed a 10 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for supplying cannabis.

Mitchell was sentenced at Mold Crown Court having previously pleaded guilty to two charges, of supply and possession of the Class B drug, in the magistrates court.

Sentencing Mitchell, Judge Niclas Parry said the presence of weapons were an aggravating feature.

"You were prepared to take risks, now you must be prepared to face the consequences", he said.

"An aggravating feature is the period of offending, the presence of weapons, knives and a sword, knowing they would have been a good deterrent if drug associates turned up at your home."

Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, said Mitchell had been dealing drugs for around 16 months, when a warrant was carried out by police at the home he shares with his mother in January 2019.

Officers found two knives, an ornamental sword and a mobile phone in Mitchell's room, as well as cannabis worth £91 which was accepted as his for personal use.

But when the phone was examined officers found tick lists indicating Mitchell was a street level dealer, with one list worth more than £2,000 and another worth more than £3,000.

Simon Rogers, defending, said Mitchell had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and while this case had hung over him for a year, he had used the time to begin turning his life around.

He said: "He was first arrested in June 2019, and almost 12 months later he has not offended since that date. He has used his time wisely and constructively.

"His (college) lecturer says how his attitude has changed, describing him as polite and courteous.

"I accept his offending was over a significant period of time, but the recommendations in the pre-sentence report would allow the defendant to continue the progress he is making and allow him to address his underlying issues with cannabis."

As well as handing Mitchell the suspended jail term, Judge Parry ordered him to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work in the community - also suspended for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A forfeiture was made for the drugs and weapons to be destroyed.

He was given no separate punishment for the possession charge.