A MAN from the outskirts of Ellesmere Port found with cannabis and cocaine was under pressure to repay a £3,000 drug debt, Chester Crown Court heard.

Isaac Weaver, 21, of Bunbury Close, Stoak, was stopped by police in Ellesmere Port in March 2021 after they detected a strong smell of cannabis.

Weaver had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, and to possession of cocaine.

Appearing at Chester Crown Court on Friday, January 7, Weaver was handed a 12-month community order.

The court heard Weaver had pleaded guilty on the basis that he had been under pressure to repay the drug debt, and was the victim of a kidnapping and assault. The court heard this was a fact borne out by two men pleading guilty to those offences in June 2021.

Police found Weaver had £120 worth of cannabis in four bags, plus 0.352g of cocaine worth between £20 and £40. He also had £10 cash on him.

A home address search found scales with herbal residue on them and a Sony smartphone had numerous messages showing drug-dealing activity. The drugs were to be deprived and the cash seized.

Weaver had one conviction for two offences – drug-driving and possession of cannabis.

Defending, Oliver King said there had been a comprehensive pre-sentence report and Weaver had made admissions to police when interviewed.

Positive character references had been submitted from his place of work.

Prior to the kidnapping, Weaver had "his head in the sand" and thought he could deal with the issues himself, but once police got involved it brought about a change in him.

"He realised he should have sought the help of police sooner," Mr King said.

Judge Michael Leeming, sentencing, said Weaver was under "considerable pressure" with a £3,000 drug debt at the time of the offending, and accepted the cannabis dealing was in a lesser role and that Weaver wished to apologise for his actions.

Weaver was handed a 12-month community order to include 200 hours unpaid work and 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Leeming added: "I reserve all breaches; you only have one chance in my court."