AN IPSWICH carpenter who planned to sell cocaine to pay legal bills to get access to his daughter has narrowly escaped an immediate prison sentence.

AN IPSWICH carpenter who planned to sell cocaine to pay legal bills to get access to his daughter has narrowly escaped an immediate prison sentence.

Paul Jones was stopped by police in Bishops Hill, Ipswich and was found to have 16g of cocaine on him and �415 cash of which �160 was in counterfeit notes, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Jones, 23, of Martinet Green, Ipswich admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and was given a 12 month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and made the subject of a six month drug treatment and testing order.

Sentencing him Judge Anthony Bate said that people who supplied cocaine could usually expect to receive an immediate prison sentence.

However he felt able in the circumstance of Jones' case to suspend the prison sentence. “I have every confidence that this court is unlikely to see you again,” said the judge.

Neil Saunders for Jones, who has no previous convictions, said that after his arrest Jones had told police “I was just doing it for my daughter”.

He said Jones was trying to get more access to his daughter and had needed money to pay solicitor's bills. “He made the most appalling decision,” said Mr Saunders.