A DRUG dealer was caught red handed after police stopped his car for speeding, Isle of Wight Crown Court heard this morning (Friday).

Joseph Medway, 22, of no fixed abode, was stopped after police caught him speeding in the middle of the night on Avenue Road, Sandown, prosecutor Edward Warren told Isle of Wight Crown Court.

As officers approached his vehicle, they noticed a strong smell of cannabis.

He failed a roadside drugs test and has been prosecuted separately for drug driving.

Multiple bags of cannabis and a grinder were found in his vehicle, along with a mobile phone containing messages relating to dealing.

Police estimated the cannabis had a street value of between £160 and £220.

Mr Warren told the court that Medway played a significant role in a well established street dealing supply network.

Medway admitted a charge of being concerned in the supply of a class B drug.

For Medway, Oscar Vincent said that on the night in question, Medway had been at a friend's address and an argument with his girlfriend meant that he had to leave unexpectedly — otherwise, he would not have been caught.

Mr Vincent said in the year leading up to the offence, Medway had little or no money and sold to friends and was able to take a cut of what was supplied for his own use.

He only sold the drugs so that he could have a supply of cannabis for himself free of charge, Mr Vincent said.

"He wishes to give up cannabis and wants to find employment and training," Mr Vincent added.

Sentencing, Judge David Melville spared Medway from being sent to prison and said: "You have not been to prison before. You are very young and could be open to being treated very badly in prison and learning new criminal behaviour."

Medway was sentenced to a two year community order with 30 rehabilitation days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Melville said: "You should realise that if you don't comply with probation requirements or if you commit further offences, you can be brought back here and a more serious sentence, including prison could be imposed.

"This is an opportunity to put all this behind you."

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