Jail for drug dealer who stored cannabis at mother’s home 

39-year-old has 'desire to change his ways'

A Douglas man has been jailed for 12 months after being caught with more than £14,000 worth of cannabis – most of which he'd stored at his mother's home.

James Lee Vincent, of Mountain View, was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse after pleading guilty to possessing the drug with intent to supply.

The 39-year-old also admitted five offences of possession of the Class B substance and having £9,600 in criminal cash.

Police raided Vincent’s home, and another address on School Road in Onchan, on 8 November.

As well as recovering more than 600 grams of cannabis they found drug paraphernalia.

The gardener was arrested and told police the drugs at his mother’s property were for onward sale.

He also directed them to money he’d hidden in her kitchen which was the proceeds of crime.

During sentencing Vincent’s advocate told the court his client had been using the drug to self-medicate adding: "His reliance on cannabis increased at times of great stress and emotion."

"He realises he doesn’t need it now, he’s a completely different man” the advocate said: "There is genuine remorse and a desire to change his ways."

The court heard Vincent’s partner is expecting a baby later this year with the advocate adding: "He wants to be a father. He wants to help bring up the child. He can't do that from behind a cell door."

Jailing Vincent for a year Deemster Graeme Cook told him: "It seems you became involved in the murky drugs world mainly for your own personal use."