A FOOTBALLER has narrowly dodged a prison sentence after pleading guilty to being a “small time” cannabis dealer in Andover to fund his own addiction.

A judge handed Thomas Gilbert, of Meliot Rise, nine months in jail suspended for 18 months for his role in supplying a number of people in Andover with the class B drug at a hearing in Portsmouth Crown Court last week.

The 28-year-old was arrested in May 2014 after police executed a warrant to search his King Arthurs Way property in connection with the investigation into a larger drugs supply operation.

Quantities of cannabis and cocaine were found along with a Nokia mobile containing text messages between March and May 2014 evidencing Gilbert to be dealing in cannabis.

Gilbert, who has played football for several local clubs including Andover Lions and Laverstock and Ford, stood trial in Salisbury Crown Court in March where he was found not guilty of charges in relation to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

On the first day of the trial the trainee carpenter pleaded guilty to being concerned with the supply of cannabis on the basis that the drugs found on the premises were for personal use and the dealing that he was involved with was done to fund his own addiction.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Dixon Crabtree said: “[You deal] in order to cover the cost of the cannabis that you smoke.

“Money comes in dribs and drabs but it mainly funds your habit. The text messages from the period clearly indicate that you supply a number of people.”

Quoting the defendant as calling his addiction the “bane of his life”, Melanie Simpson defending said: “His life is largely related to drugs.

“He was a small time dealer in Andover.

“Your Honour has seen the text messages and there were small amounts of cannabis and cocaine which were for personal use.

“He wants help and he wants to do it for himself. He wants to make a living and carry on living in Andover.”

Gilbert has a history of drug addiction and a number of drug-related convictions including possession and cultivation.

Judge Crabtree agreed to impose a suspended sentence with conditions that Gilbert takes part in a drugs rehabilitation programme and a thinking skills course.