A DRUG dealer has avoided going to prison after a judge accepted he had a "strong chance of rehabilitation".

But Shea Rourke was warned any further offending would likely lead to him being jailed.

Rourke had earlier admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply as well as possession of ketamine and cannabis.

Alison Scott-Jones, prosecuting, told the court Rourke's car was seen by officers in the car park of Pershore Town Football Club, in King George's Way, in July 2020 coming to their attention as it had a large amount of cash and a cannabis grinder inside. 

After returning to the vehicle Rourke was intercepted by police, with him admitting to officers the drugs were his. 

Police searched the vehicle and Rourke, finding more than £400, before a later search of Rourke's bedroom at his home in Terrace Road, Pershore.

Miss Scott-Jones said: "The whole of the cash, from his person, car and bedroom, totalled £2,575."

She said analysis of the drugs revealed there was 13.8 grams of cocaine, and messages on his phone showed he had been engaged in the supply of drugs.

The 21-year-old said the cocaine had cost £600, with friends "chipping in" to buy it, but the prosecutor said he had later admitted he was solely responsible for the cannabis, and its supply to others.

She added Rourke had one previous conviction, drug driving on the M5, that happened a month after being arrested for the drug offences - for which he was fined and given a 14-month driving ban.

Robert Tolhurst, defending Rourke, pleaded with the judge to make any custodial sentence suspended.

Mr Tollhurst said: "He was dealing this quantity of cocaine to finance his own addiction and to pay off debts he had accrued.

"I would seek to persuade the courts to characterise this as a lesser role."

Mr Tollhurst said the offending was in part due to the death of his mother, leading to him living with his father who was addicted to alcohol, so Rourke had a "lack of parental care" growing up.

"Mr Rourke describes drugs as his escape," he added.

Sentencing him Judge Nicholas Cartwright said he accepted that Rourke had acted alone, and been drug dealing on a "relatively small scale".

The judge said he also accepted the view of the author of a pre-sentence report that there was a strong realistic chance of rehabilitation and had shown a strong work ethic in working for a landscape gardening firm.

He jailed Rourke for 22 months, suspended for two years. 

Rourke was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and 120 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Cartwright warned Rourke if he was to commit another offence within the two years period the chances are the sentence would be activated.

Rourke argued only around £400 of the £2,575 found by police was the proceeds of drugs, but the judge rejected this claim.

He ordered £1,575 was seized and told Rourke to pay court costs and victim surcharge out of the remaining cash.