A VIOLENT young man who admitted possessing �1,300 of cannabis is today starting a term in a young offenders' institution.

Ken McErlain

A VIOLENT young man who admitted possessing �1,300 of cannabis is today starting a term in a young offenders' institution.

Ryan Howard, 19, of Main Road, Kesgrave, appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to possessing the drug.

Prosecutor Tessa James said that police raided a caravan at Howard's home on December 10 last year.

She said: “Inside they found a black Adidas shoulder bag which contained nine plastic wraps and an ounce of skunk. A further 38 wraps and an ounce of skunk was also found in a cash tin.

“He had bought the drugs for around �900 and was planning to sell them for about �1,300.”

Tariq Khawam, defending, said: “This was not a large- scale drugs collection. He has been candid with the police, given full admissions and generally done everything he could to assist them.

“He has not been in trouble since March last year which considering his record is a significant period of time.”

The court heard that Howard was sentenced to 12 months behind bars for robbery in 2008 and was on bail for a separate offence when the cannabis was seized.

District Magistrate David Cooper sentenced Howard to 90 days in a young offenders' institute.

He told him: “You are a young man with a violent record who was prepared to sell skunk to members of the public.

“Skunk is dangerous to everyone. It is a dangerous, addictive drug which causes mental health problems.

“If it was not for your solicitor you would be going to the institution for a good deal longer.”