A father-of-three from Henbury dealt drugs to try and pay off a drug debt, a court heard. Police raided Daniel Ward's home after intelligence suggested he had a gun there.
Though no gun was found officers found quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis. Also found was weighing scales and drugs paraphernalia.
Ward, 26, of Marissal Road, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, heroin and cannabis with intent to supply. The total street value of the drugs was put at £1,730.
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The recorder Mr James Bromige handed him 22 months in prison, suspended for two years. He told Ward: "You were doing this to pay back a sizeable debt, you were dealing directly to users."
Ward was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. He was also handed up to 25 days of rehabilitation.
Jack Barry, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Ward admitted supplying both Class A and B drugs on behalf of unnamed persons. Ward stated his street dealing was to improve his financial position after losing his job in the pandemic.
Charley Pattison, defending, told the court Ward used cannabis from the age of 16 to medicate himself for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). She said after moving to Bristol family bereavement contributed to her client escalating drug use to manage grief.
Miss Pattison said: "He accrued a significant drug debt. He was told what to do, drugs were provided and he was told what to do under threats."
Mss Pattison urged the judge against immediate custody. She said her client's incarceration would have a significant impact on others, and pushed for either unpaid work or a curfew.
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