A HOUGHTON man has narrowly avoided prison after he was caught drug dealing in Winchester.

James Hurley, 29, was stopped in a black Skoda in Union Street, Winchester, with ketamine, cocaine and a Class A drug called 2c-b on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, a court heard.

Hurley was also found to be in possession of a locking knife.

Appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on May 18, 2023, Hurley pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with intent to supply, while also pleading not guilty to possessing a knife in a public place.

He was later found guilty of possessing a knife at Aldershot Magistrates’ Court on July 3.

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Hurley was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, August 1.

Prosecuting, Casey Chard said that the drugs were found in a compartment near the steering wheel of Mr Hurley’s car when he was stopped by officers.

Mitigating, Jack Furness said that this was Hurley’s first offence and that his actions were out of character, also pointing out that Hurley pleaded guilty to the drug offences at the earliest opportunity.

He argued that Hurley had turned to drug dealing after being talked into it by acquaintances after he lost his job due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Furness asked for a lighter sentence for Hurley, saying that an immediate custody sentence would impact upon Hurley’s family, including his partner's two children.

Mr Furness told the judge, Robert Weekes, that Hurley had worked to turn his life around following the offence, saying that Hurley had since found employment working at a pub.

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Mr Weekes said: “I understand that an immediate custody sentence would have a great impact upon your family.

“In my judgement, it would make little sense to make you serve a custody sentence for an offence that was a one time occurrence and was out of character.”

Hurley was given a 22-month prison sentence, which has been suspended for two years. He also has a 12-day rehabilitation requirement and must complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

An application has been made for the forfeiture and destruction of the locking knife and the drugs.