AN Ipswich drug dealer, who survived a car accident in which two other people died, has been spared an immediate prison sentence.Police officers who executed a search warrant at the home of 29-year-old Costa Xiarchos in Locarno Road, Ipswich, seized 65.

AN Ipswich drug dealer, who survived a car accident in which two other people died, has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

Police officers who executed a search warrant at the home of 29-year-old Costa Xiarchos in Locarno Road, Ipswich, seized 65.2 grams of cannabis resin which had been hidden in a garden shed and under a rug in the house, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Officers also found £875 cash on the premises said Jan Brewer prosecuting.

Xiarchos admitted possessing cannabis resin with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.

Judge Peter Thompson told the defendant that he had serious reservations about his explanation that he was selling the drugs to fund his own habit.

The judge said that police found more than £800 cash at his home at a time when he was living on benefit. “It suggests to me you were a cannabis dealer,” said the judge.

He said the offence crossed the custody threshold but in the circumstances he felt able to pass a six month prison sentence suspended for two years with a 12 month supervision requirement.

Natalie Sherborn, for Xiarchos said her client had been injured in a car accident in which two other people had died.

She said as well as using cannabis he had had a drink problem.

She told the court that Xiarchos had supplied drugs to fund his own habit.

She said he had been fully co-operative with the police and was trying to sort himself out physically and mentally.