A YOUNG plumber has been spared a prison sentence after he was caught dealing cannabis in Oxford.

Jordan Gray, of Verbena Way, Greater Leys, Oxford, was arrested on September 25 at around 4pm in Cowley driving a BMW.

Charles Ward-Jackson, prosecuting, said officers searched the car and found a sports bag containing 41.74g of skunk cannabis.

He said a police expert had valued the Class B drug as having a street value of between £360 and £420.

The barrister told Judge Gordon Risius that Gray was also carrying £400 in cash and a further small amount of cannabis was found when they searched his home address.

Mr Ward-Jackson said when interviewed the 24-year-old “rather rashly” told police they wouldn’t find any messages relating to drugs on his mobile phone. But he said when they searched the device they in fact found many messages such as “got any of that cheese?” which were asking for cannabis.

Grey was charged with possession of drugs with intent to supply and admitted the offence.

David Rhodes, defending, said although his client had two cautions for possessing cannabis he was a hard-working trained plumber.

He said: “He’s a grafter. A young man who works hard and doesn't fit the type of a young man lazing around as a soft option instead of working hard.

“This offence is an aberration, it is out of character.”

Judge Gordon Risius said he had to mark the offence with a prison sentence, but was convinced he could suspend the sentence.

He sentenced Gray to eight months, suspended for two years, and told him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.