Paul Jason Smith, aged 23, was found with 11 polythene bags - containing more than seven grams of cocaine

Paul Jason Smith, aged 23, was found with 11 polythene bags - containing more than seven grams of cocaine - concealed beneath his trousers when police arrested him at Barnsley Interchange last September. A search of his home uncovered a further 23 bags of the Class A drug - the total haul carrying a street value of over £1,000, Sheffield Crown Court heard.When interviewed by police, Smith claimed he had purchased such a large amount of cocaine because it was cheaper to "buy in bulk".
He said he intended to share the drugs with friends and "likened it to buying a round of drinks", Louise Gallagher, prosecuting, told the court.Smith admitted possession with intent to supply a Class A drug but was spared jail.Ian Storey, defending, said that as well as a full time job Smith had "serious family responsibilities".Since being caught with the drug, Smith had given cocaine up and "distanced himself from his gang of cronies", Mr Storey said.Sentencing Smith to 50 weeks' imprisonment, suspended for two years, Judge Simon Lawler QC told him: "You are essentially a good character, but you have been tempted into this and you have to stay away from it." Smith, of Parkdale Avenue, Audenshaw, Manchester, was handed a nine-month curfew between the hours of 9pm and 6am, and was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community work and pay £600 prosecution costs.