A MAN who admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply has avoided jail after claiming he was only a “custodian” of the drugs.

Clive White, of Samphire Road, Blackbird Leys, was caught in possession of an amount of the Class B drug worth about £2,500 when police raided his house on October 25 last year.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said the 45-year-old defendant was renovating the property when a workman, who he knew only as Flash, gave him the drugs to look after.

She added that the prosecution had accepted his excuse that he was only a “custodian” – holding onto the drugs to make sure the building work got finished.

Matt Rowcliffe, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and had held down a steady job for 24 years.

He said: “Mr White was only to return the drugs to their owner. “He accepts of course he knew what they were and so can’t be entirely blameless.

“He understands that the courts take a dim view of anyone who is involved with drugs.” Judge Ian Pringle said the case was “exceptional” because White had pleaded guilty to the charge, despite having no intention to deal the drugs. As part of the same case he was unanimously cleared after a trial of handling stolen property last month. At Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday Judge Pringle sentenced the defendant to a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work.

He said to White: “It is sad at the age of 45 that you appear before the criminal court for the first time in your life.”