A SALISBURY man who was pressurised into drug dealing to fund his own habit has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Thomas Hodson, of Butts Terrace, Ashley Road, was stopped by police on December 12, 2018, after a drug deal was seen being done from the car he was in.

Officers found a bag of magic mushrooms in the centre console and he was arrested.

A search was carried out of Hodson’s home and 282.1 grams of cannabis, along with a quantity of amphetamine was discovered.

In total all the drugs found were valued at £4,130.

Hodson appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday June 16 to be sentenced after he previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, cannabis and other Class A and C drugs between June 1 and December 13, 2018.

Prosecutor Chloe Briggs said: “Mr Hodson’s mobile telephone was downloaded, there was thousands of messages relating to the sale of drugs. The messages suggested that Mr Hodson was negotiating with other drug dealers around the country to purchase large quantities and sell them to his own customers.

“On occasions very large quantities of drugs was discussed such as four and half ounces of cocaine with payment offered of £5,000.”

On another occasion the 31-year-old discussed buying one and half kilograms of cannabis.

The court was told that Hodson expected a “significant financial advantage” and he “played an operation or management function within a chain”.

In mitigation, Nicola Talbot Hadley said: “Mr Hodson knows he is in a very serious position today before the court, for a six-month period in 2018 now some two and half years ago he became trapped within a criminal underworld of drug dealing.

"He needed to continue to supply to feed his own habit – he was also pressurised to continue.”

Ms Talbot Hadley told Judge Jane Miller QC that Hodson suffers from mental health disorders but is now taking medication and has secured a job as a kitchen porter in a hotel.

Hodson read a note to the court and said: “I would like to apologise to the court for what I have done, I am fully ashamed of my actions.

“I have turned my life around and I am a different person. If I am lucky enough to be given a second chance I will fully apologise and engage with anything I am required to do.”

Hodson was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years.

He must also complete 250 hours unpaid work and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

The judge said: “I am given you the most enormous chance. This is the first and only chance that you are ever going to get from any court.”

The prosecution offered no evidence on another charge of possessing criminal property.

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