A drug dealer caught red-handed peddling a cocktail of drugs to students has avoided prison.
Ieuan Phoenix had a "junkie state of mind" as he sold substances for money which he said he needed to pay student debts, medical fees and to set up a wildflower business.
By the time police spotted him dealing in Jesmond - customers flocked to him as soon as he sat down on a bench - he had £4,000 in cash and around £41,000 in cryptocurrency. Newcastle Crown Court heard he had been buying in bulk on the dark web to maximise profits.
