A MAN has been spared an immediate term of imprisonment after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of cannabis and cocaine.  

Adam Jacques, 22, of Schooner Street in Barrow, was sentenced for his involvement in dealing both Class A and Class B drugs at The Sessions House, Preston Crown Court on May 1.

Prosecuting the case, Ben Stanley said a combined weight of 2,876 grams of cannabis and 71.2 grams of cocaine were found in plastic storage and vacuum bags matching the fingerprints of the defendant and co-defendant Coulton Riglar.

It comes after police executed a warrant at Riglar’s address on Liverpool Street in Barrow on May 25 2021 for an unrelated domestic incident.

The court heard if sold as half gram and one gram street deals, this had a combined value of £34,960 (£28,980 – cannabis).

The prosecution sentenced Jacques on the basis that the cocaine was Riglar’s operation, and that he would assist him.

As a result, he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis for the offence on May 25.

Riglar was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court last month for playing a ‘significant role’ in facilitating the supply of cocaine from Greater Manchester to Barrow. He received a jail term of 118 months.

READ MORE HERE: Dad-of-three jailed for role in supplying kilograms worth of cocaine to Cumbria

The court heard Jacques was under police investigation at the time after he was caught with a further 998 grams of cannabis and other drug paraphernalia when stopped with another co-defendant on March 9 2021.

On that occasion, a single bag of cannabis was located in the passenger footwell, which if sold, had a street value of £3,000, the court heard.

For this offence, Jacques admitted one further count of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

In mitigation, his barrister Claire Larton said her client had shown signs of ‘immaturity’ having committed the offences when he was 19 years old – over three years ago.

She said: “He was homeless and went to live with Mr Riglar, which was the biggest mistake he has ever made. He was assisting with his operation.

“He has matured since then and now has his own property. He became a father 18 months ago, sees his daughter every Sunday and wants to provide more financial assistance to the mother.

“He is currently working full-time as a scaffolder having previously worked for BAE Systems. There is hope he may be able to work offshore in the future.

"His mother suffers from epilepsy. The defendant lives nearby and is some assistance to her.

“If he goes to custody, he will lose his accommodation and it would have a significant impact especially on his daughter. This has been a very sobering experience for him.”

The court heard Jacques had a previous record comprising of four previous convictions for six offences.

Sentencing Jacques to a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years, His Honour Judge Graham Knowles said: “You probably thought it was a good idea at the time to involve yourself with Riglar in his operation at a regional level.

“You were really under the spell of him, if not enthralled by him. He is way above you in this world of drug dealing.

“It would be a big mistake for you to think cannabis does not matter. It very much does, especially in the quantities you were dealing.

“However, I believe there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Sending you to custody would have a detrimental impact on others.

“This is an exceptional case. You are in a very rare position as you are going to walk away without going to prison today.

"You need to get completely away from crime. Do not let yourself and your daughter down. Keep well away from the world you have found yourself in.”

As part of the suspended sentence order, Jacques was required to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.