A WAREHOUSE worker who admitted possessing cannabis so he could deal the drug was spared jail after a judge saw his positive work reference.

Nathan Wilkins, 25, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply the Class B drug.

Oxford Crown Court was told that Wilkins, of Chetwode, Banbury, was arrested by police on May 6 when he was riding his bike.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, told the court on Thursday that officers found him carrying three wraps of cannabis.

She said: “At home they found two Tupperware tubs containing cannabis, and notepaper showing numbers in columns and cash amounts.”

Ms Olliver said officers found about £350 worth of skunk cannabis.

She added: “Mr Wilkins said the cannabis wraps were for his own use, and the cannabis at home belonged to a friend.”

Ms Olliver told the court that there were text messages on the defendant’s phone suggesting he had been dealing drugs, including “Can you sort some Base, mate” – thought to refer to amphetamines.

Ms Olliver said £760 in cash was also discovered but the defendant claimed this was “winnings from a betting shop”.

Jenny McVeigh, defending, said her client’s account was that he was asked “by another to hold the drugs for him”.

“He maintains he was not involved in the selling of the drugs on that other person’s behalf,” she added.

Ms McVeigh said the notepaper referred to cash amounts Wilkins’ had lent to friends and family, including his sister, and urged Judge Zoe Smith to impose a suspended sentence.

Ms McVeigh said Wilkins had stopped using cannabis and would not have been able to keep his job at a Bicester warehouse if he was still using it.

Judge Zoe Smith told Wilkins she had decided not to impose a custodial sentence.

She added: “Since 2012 you have taken steps to turn things around and I have been very impressed by your work reference.”

The judge imposed a 12-month community order, with an unpaid work requirement of 200 hours.

Wilkins was also ordered to pay court costs of £1,300, plus a victim surcharge of £60.