A YOUNG Carlisle man who turned to dealing the class A drug cocaine to fund his £100-per-day addiction has escaped going to jail after a judge heard about his "courage" as he turned his life around.

Matthew Davidson, 24, was described as a “loving, honest, and hard-working person,” the city's crown court heard. 

The defendant, of Caird Avenue, Belah, had earlier pleaded guilty to an offence of possessing cocaine with intent to supply in June of last year. Earlier this year, a judge deferred sentencing him, allowing him to prove his rehabilitation.

The court had been told the defendant’s offending came to light when police raided his home and found cocaine worth up to £5,800 in his bedroom. They also found digital scales and cash - a total of £9,490.

Defence lawyer Mark Shepherd said that Davidson was grateful that he was caught given that his life had fallen into a “torrid state," which saw him using £100 worth of cocaine on a daily basis. He also accrued a drugs debt.

Since then, Davidson had become involved in charity fundraising, helping to raise thousands for a charity cancer. He competed in the Great North Run to raise money for the same good cause.

Recorder Ian Unsworth KC told the defendant: “A letter from your counsellor speaks of your courage and determination to rid yourself of your addiction. Your parents say they are proud of what you have done since the offending which brought the police to their door; and they also indicate that you have always been a loving, honest, hard-working person.”

The defendant was now drug free.

Since the sentencing was deferred four months ago, Davidson had used his time well, raising a significant amount of money for charity and he was continuing to work through overcoming his previous addiction.

There was an “abundance of evidence” to show a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, said the Recorder. He imposed a two-year jail term, suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work. “Given the progress you have made,” added the judge, “I would be surprised if you returned to this court.”