A YOUNG man has admitted being a cannabis dealer after police caught him driving around Kendal in a car which a judge described as a “mobile sales unit” for the class B drug.

Samuel Klinner’s offending came to light by chance on May 8, 2020, when police stopped him in his Toyota Corolla as he drove in Blackhall Road, Kendal, Carlisle Crown Court heard. The officers stopped him because they suspected he had been using a mobile phone at the wheel.

But after noticing a strong smell of cannabis coming from the car, the officers searched the Toyota - and found ample evidence of a cannabis dealing operation, said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson.

The 23-year-old defendant, of Bainbridge Road, Sedbergh, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Mr Rogerson listed some of the items found in the defendant’s Toyota car which appeared to be linked with his cannabis dealing. They included various bags of cannabis, mobile phones, containers and plastic bags and a “considerable amount of cash.”

There were also two sets of weighing scales.

In his police interview after his arrest, the defendant mostly declined to comment but he did say he had lost this job and could not afford to live anywhere. He could not remember when he last had money coming in, he said.

Responding to a suggestion that he may have felt he had 'no other option', he replied yes, said Mr Rogerson.

A police officer estimated that the potential street value of the drugs seized was between £2,930 and £3,720. In total, the amount of cash found was £1,901.

Kim Whittlestone, defending, said Klinner had -“woken up” following the prosecution.

He had recently done community service at an Age Concern warehouse in Kendal and impressed his bosses there, even staying on in the role as a volunteer after completing the required hours.

The charity had provided him with a character reference, describing Klinner as hard-working and trustworthy.

"He has disengaged from all drug use,” said Miss Whittlestone.

“He is now drug-free and he also abstains from alcohol.”

Judge Nicholas Barker noted that the defendant began taking cannabis as an adolescent when he was 15 or 16, apparently as a way of dealing with difficulties at school.

But that had by definition brought him into contact with people who are involved in supplying drugs.

“You were offered drugs to sell and you accepted that offer, essentially to fund and pay for your own drugs use,” said the judge.

“You were stopped on May 8, 2020, in Kendal, driving what was essentially a mobile sales unit, where you had drugs in your car, scales, and drugs in various forms; there was cash in your car.

“You were travelling out and about to sell drugs.”

But the judge was satisfied the prosecution had been a “learning curve” for the defendant and due to the passage of time and the community service already completed and issues outlined in mitigation he could impose a community sentence.

The judge imposed an 18-month community order, with 25 rehabilitation activity days. But if the defendant was ever stupid enough to return to such offending a custodial sentence was likely to follow, warned the judge.