A 'CANNABIS addict' has been spared jail after being caught with a drugs and weapons haul.

Arly Tudge, then 19, was stopped by police in Little Hulton after driving a car on false number plates, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Tudge, of MacDonald Avenue, Farnworth, had a manbag which was searched and found to contain four bags of cannabis and £40 in cash.

In the car was a claw hammer, a large spanner and a metal rod weighted at one end. He also had a craft knife on him, the court was told.

Tudge pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of a blunt article and an offensive weapon.

Prosecutors dismissed a claim he was only involved in the 'social supply' of cannabis to friends as he was still making money for his deals.

Chloe Fordham, prosecuting, said: “Although the defendant may well have known the people to whom he was dealing, nevertheless he was receiving money for the drugs and making a profit. There are a number of text messages which support that.”

Tudge said he had the car for a couple of weeks but the weapons had been there for some time, before he got the vehicle. Two telephones were also seized.

He accepted the cars was on false plates and was not taxed or insured. He had 3.78g of cannabis on him - with a street value of around £40.

Tudge had no previous convictions but one caution for theft.

In mitigation, it was said the defendant ‘is all but a good character, he is young, and the feel of this is case that he was financing his cannabis habit by small dealing to his friends.’

The court heard he had a lack of previous convictions and because of his age a curfew might be in order, it was suggested.

Tudge, now 21, was sentenced to an 18-month community order with 30 rehabilitation and requirement days. He must also observe a four month electronic tag from 9pm to 6am, and he will carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.