College student sold drugs to ease debt worries

A former college student who started dealing cannabis after getting into debt was spared a prison sentence last week, The Liverpool Echo reports.

Jamie Basnett was struggling financially after he began to study graphic design at Southport College, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

A user of the Class B drug, 18-year-old Basnett decided to start dealing the drug on behalf of his dealer when his money troubles became too severe.

But he was caught out after keen-nosed police officers noticed the smell as they walked past his home in Southport on October 3 last year.

When they entered his flat they saw a bag of cannabis on the table and Basnett admitted he had 16 further bags inside the property.

Basnett, who now lives in Skelmersdale, Lancashsire, pleaded guilty to possessing and supplying cannabis.

Judge John Phipps suspended a ten month Young Offenders Institute sentence for two years, with 12 months supervision and 200 hours unpaid work.

Frank Dillon, defending, told how Basnett had moved away from the area and his criminal associates.

Categories; Budgeting Advice, Income Worries and Debt, Recent Graduate Debt,