AN EVESHAM man who says he was forced to allow his home to be used for drug dealing has been spared a prison sentence.
Police discovered heroin with a street value of £650 and £70 cash when they raided the flat in Temple Mews, Evesham.
Dylan Morgan had been given heroin for his daily addiction and £100 by a local drug pusher in exchange for the use of the premises for trafficking.
The 21-year-old was given an 18-month drug treatment and testing order at Worcester Crown Court.
He will have to appear before a judge at monthly intervals and prove he is drug free from test results.
Recorder David Tucker accepted that he had been intimidated and said in those circumstances an alternative sentence to jail was acceptable.
Morgan, who pleaded guilty to allowing his premises to be used for supplying heroin for three months, was raided on July 7 last year.
A police sniffer dog found two wraps of heroin weighing 6.64 grammes behind an extractor fan in the bathroom, said Tim Sapwell, prosecuting.
Morgan, who had a previous conviction for drug possession, had been an addict for a number of years.
"He was in the unenviable position of the local dealer - a man with a reputation - threatening him," said Tim Harrington, defending.
"He was frightened, had little choice and went along with his plan."
Mr Harrington said the non-custodial penalty should help him come off drugs and stop offending.
Morgan had now decided to leave his home and move in with his father.
He had decided to help his father through a serious illness.
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