'They reduced my dole to £60, how am I supposed to live on that?' Cut in benefits led to Shrewsbury man selling drugs
A man told a court he started selling drugs after his benefits were cut.
Luke Marsh said his benefits were reduced after he turned up late for a meeting with the Department of Work and Pensions and he had decided to sell cannabis as a way to get money.
Marsh, of Lancaster Road, Shrewsbury, admitted possession with intent to supply when he appeared at Telford Magistrates Court.
Police were called to search a property on Lancaster Road on March 24 after being given information.
Marsh, 24, was present at the address and cannabis was recovered from a box in the cupboard near the bathroom.
Prosecuting, Robert Edwards told Shrewsbury Crown Court that about 9.4 grams of cannabis had been found.
Mr Edwards said that as he was arrested he said: "They reduced my dole to £60, how am I supposed to live on that?"
Mr Edwards said eight packets were found in the box in his house and during police interview he said "he was going to sell two to friends and keep six".
About £160 pounds was also seized from the house and the court made a confiscation order for the money.
Danny Smith, for Marsh, said: "Essentially his benefits were sanctioned because he was 15 minutes late for a meeting with the Department of Work and Pensions which left him without any money for food.
"He was introduced to cannabis through friends who should him, what he thought would be an easy way out but he now understands that is not the case."
Sentencing Marsh, Judge Peter Barrie said: "You have learned the hard way that this is not a sensible way of dealing with your financial problems.
"I accept the scale of the dealing was comparatively small. You were dealing to friends in your circle and it was for a comparatively short period of time."
Marsh was ordered to serve a 12 months community order with a requirement of 20 days rehabilitation activity. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £75 court costs and a victim surcharge.
Judge Barrie also made an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs which had been seized from the property.
