DETECTIVES found a total of £3,000 worth of cannabis when they made two raids on the home of a dealer, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Luke Hawkins, who said he spent more than £200 a week on his cannabis habit, admitted possessing the drug and dealing in it. Nearly £400 in cash was confiscated.

Hawkins, aged 30, of Broadwas Close, Redditch, was jailed for 18 months after the court heard he had previous convictions for drug offences.

Police raided his home on April 4 this year when a quantity of cannabis was found. Hawkins made no comment and was released on bail.

Later in the month, they made another raid and again found more cannabis. Hawkins was more forthcoming and revealed that he owed his main dealer £2,000 after losing his job.

Hawkins had drug convictions dating back to 2005, said Richard Hull, mitigating. His record showed he was a persistent offender and had not taken opportunity of a suspended sentence imposed in 2011.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC said Hawkins had continued to offend in several ways. He was not a hardened criminal but saw drugs as a way to solve his problems. He could only hope he would change his way.