A street dealer has avoided jail after being caught with £1,460 worth of cannabis in a rucksack after police searched his house.

Vincent Orr, 24, was the subject of a search warrant when police found the drugs, as well as paraphernalia such as scales and snap bags in his home in Blackley.

When he returned home during the search in the early morning of April last year, officers also found over £500 cash and two mobile phones on him.

After analysing the phones they found text messages which showed elements of drug dealing, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Orr pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession with intent to supply cannabis, and today was handed an 18 month imprisonment suspended for two years.

Outlining the facts of the case, prosecutor Joshua Bowker said a police warrant was executed at Orr’s home in the early hours of the morning in April last year.

“During the search the defendant returned home, and officers found 140g of cannabis in a rucksack, as well as scales, smell-proof bags and snap bags,” Mr Bowker said.

“The total street value of the drugs was £1,460.

“The defendant was arrested and was found to have £545 cash on his person, as well as two mobile phones.

“Those phones were interrogated and text messages were found indicating street dealing was taking place.

“One message read: “10 out of 10 purple set, dog.”

There were also requests for payments included in the messages, the court heard.

Orr was said to have two previous convictions for five offences, dating back to 2011 when he was a juvenile.

In mitigation, his defence lawyer Thomas Worsfold said there had been motivation for financial gain, but there was also an element of coercion from others in the supply chain.

“There were very real and genuine threats towards him,” Mr Worsfold said.

“He has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, the defendant has been very candid with probation and he’s been very honest about his behaviour.

“He has got a good future ahead of him.

“He has been through difficulties in the past, he was previously homeless but he has now found stable accommodation.

“His life is currently in a period of stability.”

Sentencing him to a suspended sentence, Judge Hilary Manley said: “Over a year ago the police executed a search warrant and found 140g of cannabis, scales and snap bags, and all the equipment associated with being a street dealer.

“They found cash on you as well as two mobile phones, which texts showed you were dealing in cannabis.

“You were a street dealer, pure and simple.

“The court takes it seriously those who deal in drugs.

“I accept you are remorseful and I accept you have taken steps to address your offending.

“You have found stable accommodation and formed positive steps for your future.

“You have a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

Orr, of Lion Brow in Blackley, was handed 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years, and he must complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.