A 20-YEAR-OLD Stow on the Wold man who supplied cannabis to friends has avoided jail.

At Gloucester crown court Lewis Matthews of King George's Field, Stow, was sentenced to a 12 months community order after he admitted having 12 wraps of the drug worth £120 with intent to supply.

He was also ordered to undergo a six months drug rehab requirement and observe an 11pm-8am home curfew for four weeks.

Prosecutor Caighli Taylor said police in The Square, Stow, were suspicious of young people in a car and approached it. When the window was opened they could smell cannabis inside.

Matthews, who was in the front passenger seat, had a bag containing the 12 foil wraps of cannabis.

Jennifer Stetson, defending, asked the court to consider a pre-sentence report on Matthews.

She said "He wants any help he can get to give up using cannabis himself. He accepts he needs to stop now.

"He is concerned about his mental health, moving forward. He has already drastically reduced his use.

"He would be very keen to work with the probation service on a drug rehabilitation requirement. "

His job in an Italian restaurant was still open to him, she added.

The judge, Recorder Kevin de Haan QC, told Matthews: "I accept you were dealing at the lowest level - you were simply supplying people you knew. You were not going out and soliciting sales to people. I shall take an exceptional course with you."