Heroin dealer avoids jailing

A dealer who sold heroin up to 30 times a day to help pay off debt avoided jail.

Justin Clewes, aged 31, of Junction Road, Stourbridge, yesterday admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply and possessing a small amount of cannabis.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard he sold up to 30 times a day for eight weeks to clear drug debts.

Miss Samantha Powis, defending, said he had a "terrible drug" addiction for a number of years.

"He wants to be clear of drugs for the new year. He was looking to pay off his drug debt because he did not want to go cap in hand to his parents," she said.

"He is a very vulnerable man who, in the past, has been bullied and threatened."

Judge Martin Walsh gave a two year community and supervision orders, as well as a three month curfew.

He told Clewes that he was taking an exceptional course by not imposing an immediate custodial sentence and said that he seemed motivated to stay out of trouble and tackle his drug problem.

He warned him that if he failed to obey the order he would be brought back to court and jailed.

Clewes must stay home 9pm-7am for the next three months and undergo a drug rehabilitation programme.