A WREXHAM dealer who sold sweets laced with drugs has avoided a jail sentence.

Jenson Barnes, 21, of Bangor Road, Wrexham, appeared via videolink at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, March 10.

Barnes was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply a controlled Class B drug, namely cannabis and THC.

He was also charged with possession of criminal property - a sum of £1,810 in cash.

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Ember-Jade Wong, prosecuting, told the court how, on August 3 2020, police officers raided a property rented by Barnes on Bangor Road.

They found cannabis in the garage at the property, as well as paraphernalia linked to cannabis in Barnes' bedroom.

A further search of the property found confectionary which contained THC.

Police also found the £1,810 in cash on a flat roof outside Barnes' bedroom window. The court was told that he had thrown it there in order to 'prevent the police from taking it'.

A mobile phone found at the property contained texts which indicated Barnes' role in supplying the drugs.

Police officers had been unable to provide a valuation for the drugs 'due to their specific nature'.

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'Strip-like jelly' sweets were found to contain THC, described in text messages on Barnes' phone as 'Nerds rope'.

James Coutts, defending Barnes, said that the defendant was a 'man who has learnt his lesson' and that this had all 'come as a shock to him'.

Sentencing Barnes, Judge Niclas Parry said: "I don't need to tell you about the harm that these drugs cause, as you have already suffered with them yourself, falling into debt."

Barnes was sentenced to 8 months in custody, which was suspended for 12-months. He was also handed 150-hours of community service.

A deprivation order was made for the £1,810.