A father-of-two caught with £10,000 worth of cannabis has been handed a suspended jail sentence after been 'given a chance' by a judge.

James Leach was found with almost a kilogram of the drug when police raided his family home on Sunday, June 23 this year.

Hannah Squire, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court on Friday that officers had been alerted by the strong smell of cannabis coming from the house, Once inside they found the large quantity of drugs in the 27-year-old's bedroom as well as £120 in cash, scales and a large quantity of small bags used for drug deals.

When he was questioned he refused to answer questions, instead giving a prepared statement saying he had got the drugs on tick, agreeing to pay £4,000 for them.

He said he was in the process of repaying the dealer and was selling some to about a dozen friends to help him raise the cash.

Leach, of King Street, Melksham, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Marcus Davey, defending, said he had handed in references which spoke of a family man and a working man.

"If anyone deserves a chance it is a 27-year-old father-of-two with no previous," he said.

Judge Douglas Field agreed and imposed a six-month jail term suspended for a year put him on a six month drug rehabilitation order.

He said "Your involvement in drugs has got you in serious trouble and it is now time for you to deal with this and put it behind you."

After hearing that the cash seized was not his but his from his girlfriend's benefits payments he ruled it be handed back.