A CANNABIS smoker who admitted possession with intent to supply claimed he only dealt the drug to his friends.

Ged Brewis appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court where he was told he faces between one and three years in prison for dealing the class B drug.

Lucy Osborn, mitigating, told the court Brewis only supplies to people known to him or those he has being introduced to.

However, the prosecution dismissed the claims after nearly 14g of cannabis was found at his home in St Paul’s Road, Colchester, in May.

Kathy Wilson told the court: “He was stopped with 30 bags of cannabis on him, some in a vehicle, and some at his home when it searched.

“The total street value is £300.”

She added: “Other items were also found under his bed - in excess of £300 in cash and scales in a tool box.

“He told police at arrest that he buys cannabis for a family member to help with their mental health problems.”

A number of text messages from Brewis’s phone were read out in court which police experts have said is evidence of “drug speak”.

Ms Wilson continued: “There’s a quantity of texts both being sent from and received relating to the dealing of drugs.

“On more than one occasion, marketing texts have been sent to a number of telephone numbers.

“One of those reads that the sender has been on holiday. It read: ‘Been away but give me a shout”.

“There has been at least one other marketing text message, essentially for people to get in touch with him.

“Another says ‘Stock lands in next couple of days’.”

Ms Wilson added: “The defendant may well call these people friends but the Crown doesn’t accept it.”

In 2003, Brewis, 29, received a reprimand for drugs, and one in 2010, relating to criminal damage, the court heard.

Besides this he has no previous convictions.

Brewis, of St Paul’s Road, Colchester, admitted possessing drugs with intent to supply.

He will next appear at Ipswich Crown Court in October when he will be sentenced.

Magistrates warned him he could be facing a sentence of between one and three years in prison.