A MAN caught with a stash of drugs in his garage has been handed a community penalty.

Keith Green had already admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply class B drugs - amphetamine and cannabis.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing hearing yesterday how the 38-year-old of Howard Road, Banbury, was only caught after police went to his home on an unrelated matter.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Stone, said when Green was taken to the police station officers went on to search his home.

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Inside a garage at the end of his garden they uncovered a haul of class B drugs.

In total officers seized four separate blocks of cannabis, individually representing 249g, 251g, 253g and 253g.

They also found smaller amounts of cannabis and skunk cannabis stashed in a tin as well as 21.7g of amphetamine.

The total value of the drugs haul was some £3,280.

During police interview he said he had been growing his own cannabis and regularly smoked the class B drug.

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In mitigation at yesterday's hearing defence barrister Robert Lindsey said that his client had a long-standing 'dependency' on cannabis since a young age.

He added that the carpenter and joiner had taken steps to address his addiction by attending local organisation Turning Point for help.

He added that his client had supplied the drug to friends 'on a social basis'.

Sentencing, Judge Nigel Daly said in light of Green's circumstances he could order a non-custodial penalty and he was handed a two-year community order.

As part of that order he must complete 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and 180 hours of unpaid work, and pay a victim surcharge.