A DRUG user from Cirencester avoided a jail sentence when he appeared in court this week.

Richard Pitts, 45, of Parkway, Siddington was given a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis on July 10 last year.

He also admitted at Gloucester Crown Court possession of cannabis, cultivating the drug and possession of magic mushrooms.

He had denied a charge possession with intent to supply and prosecution offered no evidence on that, Derek Ryder, prosecuting, said 49 cannabis plants had been discovered growing in his back garden, along with bags of useless cannabis material.

Around 26 grams had been found in his pockets, in his kitchen and in the freezer.

Mr Ryder said digital scales, plastic bags, 4.83grams of Magic Mushrooms and £240 in cash had also been found by police.

Father-of-three Pitts had freely admitted he has used cannabis for the last 20 years and that his friends often smoked cannabis with him.

Mazar Iqbal, defending, said he would co-operate with the probation service.

Recorder Shamim Qureshi also ordered Pitts to undergo supervision for one year and a drug treatment programme for six months.

The Recorder also ordered the confiscation of the £240 in cash and the destruction of the drugs.