A MAN who claimed to smoke nine ounces of cannabis every two weeks escaped a jail sentence yesterday.

Roofer Paul Hatton was caught with a nine-ounce block of cannabis resin which he had hidden behind a fireplace.

When a police drugs team raided his Farnworth home, Hatton was there with his girlfriend.

They were both arrested but Hatton, who said he had a heavy habit of cannabis, claimed the drugs were for his own personal use.

Yesterday Hatton, aged 23, of Cawdor Court, Farnworth, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence.

He had earlier admitted possessing cannabis resin with intent to supply.

Hatton was sentenced to carry out a 150-hour Community Punishment Order and ordered he pay £400 prosecution costs.

Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson said that police found the nine-ounce bar hidden behind the fire. They also found £78 in cash and brass scales.

Defending Neil Fryman said that Hatton had a heavy habit with cannabis, smoking the nine ounces within two weeks.

He had attended the clinic to wean himself off cannabis and had now stopped smoking cannabis completely.

Judge Derwin Hope said many people had been sent to prison for selling cannabis. He sentenced him to a 150-hour Community Punishment Order and ordered he pay £400 prosecution costs.