A GRIEF-STRICKEN son who had six £10 wraps of cannabis bush in his Whitehaven home told police: "I'm only selling weed - I'm struggling for money."

At Carlisle Crown Court, 34-year-old Allan Harvey was given an 18 month community order after he admitted possessing the class B drug with intent to supply it.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said the offence came to light on October 18 last year when police raided the defendant's one bedroom flat in Birley Court.

Harvey arrived home as the police were searching the flat.

"He made a significant comment," said Mr Rogerson.

"He said: 'I've only been selling weed; I'm struggling for money."

Police arrested him, seizing the drugs and his mobile phone, which when analysed yielded incriminating messages suggesting that the defendant was selling cannabis to a limited number of people.

He accepted this in his first police interview, saying that he sold the drug to pay pay for his living costs.

A man of hitherto good character, Harvey said he sold cannabis to three of his friends.

Marion Weir, for Harvey, said his offence had not been sophisticated, and was motivated by his need to pay his daily living costs. He had also struggled to cope with his grief following the death of his father.

But he had now sought counselling.

"There are still ongoing issues with his personal drug use and he has been involved in that since a relatively young young age," said the barrister.

But custody was not necessary, she added.

Judge Nicholas Barker noted that the defendant had never before been in trouble and that he had been frank with the police. "It was classic low-level dealing" said the judge.

He noted also the recent loss of the defendant's father.

As well as imposing the community order, the judge ordered that Harvey complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and ruled that Harvey will be subject to an electronically monitored curfew, operational from 7pm to 6am, for the next three months.