Man admits drug dealing to pay off debt

A Gosberton man who sold cannabis to fund his own addiction was spared an immediate jail sentence.

Travis Frederick Mills, 23, admitted turning to dealing to help pay off a drug debt, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Mills, of Belchmire Line, admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of MDMA in October last year, as well as possessing cannabis found in his shed in March this year.

The court heard Mills had 13 previous offences of which seven were drug related.

But Mills had progressed to supplying cannabis to fund his on habit and to pay off a drug debt, the court was told.

Drug related messages were also found on his phone by police.

James Smith-Wilds, mitigating, said references showed Mills was normally a “reliable, hardworking and honest man.”

“He appears to be a young man who made a stupid decision and was then ripped off by his dealer.

“He was selling drugs on tick for which he was not being paid.”

Mr Smith-Wilds added that Mills had stayed out of trouble since his arrest in March and was living with his father.

Passing sentence Recorder Jacob Hallam QC said he accepted that Mill’s own cannabis habit was at the root of his offending.

He told Mills: “If you stop using cannabis you wont get into debt.”

Mills was sentenced to ten months imprisonment suspended for two years. He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work in the community.