A MAN arrested by police for a drug offence while walking near his home early one morning has been sentenced to carry out unpaid work,

Martin Pritchard, aged 29, of Escley Drive, Hereford, initially resisted arrest, said Charles Hamer, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

But when his home was searched, officers found two sets of scales and a mobile phone used in drug dealing.

Pritchard, who pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, was given a 12-month suspended community order with 80 hours of unpaid work. He must also take part in rehabilitation and thinking skills programmes organised by the probation service.

John Dyer, mitigating, said it had been a naive attempt at drug-dealing. This was echoed by Recorder Sam Mainds, who said Pritchard had an appalling record. He had sought a way out of his problems by selling cannabis to his friends.