A DRUG addict has been spared jail after pleading guilty to five counts of drug offences.

Benjamin Christopher Roberts, aged 31 and of Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth was handed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years at Dorchester Crown Court.

He was sentenced alongside Roami Eli McLeggan aged 19 and Sam Scott Jefferies aged 17, both from London.

Prosecuting, Thomas Wilkins told the court the offences related to December 19 2014 when police searched Roberts’ flat. Then on December 15 2015, while out on bail, Roberts sold Class A drugs to an undercover policewoman in Weymouth Town Centre, as part of the force’s Operation Energy.

Mr Wilkins said: “This is a case of cuckooing. Roberts had his flat taken over by the other two defendants to use it for the dealing of Class A drugs. Officers arrived at the flat with a warrant for a search. All three defendants were found inside with evidence of drug use.

“Roberts was searched and cocaine and heroin were found hidden in a sock down his trousers. Officers found a notebook in McLeggan’s bag and papers in the flat as well as two Santander billing slips with £610 in cash paid in on December 17 and £730 in cash paid on on December 19.”

Roberts told police he had been paid by way of drugs so that others could stay at his flat. The value of the drugs was estimated around £300 to £400.

A statement from Inspector Browning of Dorset Police said there has been “an influx of drug dealing networks” in the area primarily from Liverpool and London.

Representing Roberts, Robert Griffiths told the court Roberts’ vulnerability as an addict had been “exploited”.

He said: “Roberts has abused drugs from a very young age. He was on cannabis at the age of 14, cocaine at 16 and then onto heroine. He has repeatedly tried to beat his addiction.”

Judge Jonathan Fuller QC said: “Vulnerable people have the power to make their own choices. Being concerned with Class A drugs is an imprisonable offence. However, I am not sending any of you to prison today. I think you have something very positive to give. The choice is yours.”

Roberts was given a supervision requirement for two years and a drug rehabilitation requirement for nine months and McLeggan a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Jefferies was handed a Youth Rehabilitation Order for two years.