A 22-year-old man has been put on probation for 18 months for drug dealing and money laundering.

Kian Ronnie Cottam had previously pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing cannabis, and possessing criminal property, namely £700 in cash.

While passing sentence, High Bailiff Jayne Hughes warned Cottam that if he breached the probation order he could be re-sentenced, and that the likely outcome would be prison.

We previously reported that police went to Cottam’s home, at Crossag Terrace in Ballasalla, on August 28 in 2021.

During a search of the premises they found 101.5 grams of cannabis resin, valued by police at £579, and one gram of cannabis bush, which they valued at £30, as well as snap bags, two sets of scales, and £700 in cash.

During a police interview, Cottam answered ‘no comment’ to all questions.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain previously said that the offences had taken so long to come to court because they had been part of other ongoing investigations.

The court heard that Cottam has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said that his client had suffered from mental health issues and was also working with Motiv8.

‘He is moving in the right direction and getting the help and support he needs,’ said the advocate.

credit

Mr Wood asked for credit to be given for Cottam’s guilty pleas and for the court to take into account his young age, the relatively low amount of cannabis and money found.

The advocate also asked for the delay in matters coming to court to be considered, saying that it had meant Cottam had the case on his mind for a considerable time.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Cottam that she had taken into account that the matter had been hanging over him for almost 21 months and that he was just 19 at the time of the offences.

However, she warned him that the case could have been committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery and resulted in a custodial sentence if it were not for Mr Wood, as well as the work with Motiv8.

The High Bailiff said that the advantage of a probation order was that, if Cottam were to breach it, he could be re-sentenced, whereas if he was given a suspended sentence, that option is not available.

The court heard that the £700 is to be paid to a charitable cause and Mrs Hughes said that she hoped it would be a charity which worked with drug-related issues.

Cottam was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs at a rate of £10 per week, deducted from benefits.