AN OAKDALE man who admitted supplying friends with cannabis avoided an immediate jail term yesterday.

Jamie Kent, 35, had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of being involved with the supply of a class B drug between August 1, 2013 and August 31, 2014.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that although Gwent Police thought Kent, of Llys Cyncoed, had been a major supplier, after further investigation it was clear his role was far smaller than that after an interview in February.

Kent was convicted for supplying cannabis when he was a teenager, the court heard, but Kevin Seal, defending, said his client was now 'a completely different man' with a family.

Judge Daniel Williams said he had to take Kent’s previous conviction into consideration in passing his sentence of ten months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Kent will also be required to undertake 250 hours of unpaid work, pay £340 in costs by January 5, 2016 and attend ten sessions of Thinking Skills classes.