A drug dealer who transformed his life with help from the Prince’s Trust has been spared an immediate jail sentence.
Shaun Taylor is now free of drugs, has found himself a job and was short-listed for a national award for the way he has turned around his life.
Judge Michael Heath praised him when passing sentence at Lincoln Crown Court and gave him an eight-month jail sentence suspended for 12 months.
Taylor (22), of Viscount Close, Pinchbeck, admitted charges of supplying M-Cat and possession of the drug with intent to supply on November 23, 2014.
Judge Heath told him: “The way you have changed your life since your arrest for these matters is nothing short of remarkable.
“You have done extremely well. I cannot remember ever reading such a collection of glowing testimonies to somebody who has changed his life completely around.”
Taylor was arrested in Spalding after police stopped a car in which he was a passenger.
Jonathon Dee, prosecuting, said the driver of the car, Campbell Weir, appeared agitated.
The vehicle was searched and 11gs of M-Cat was recovered.
Mr Dee said: “Taylor was frank with officers. He accepted he was dealing in M-Cat and accepted he had been doing it for some time.”
Sunil Khanna, defending, said: “He is a young man who at the time had an entrenched drug addiction. He was getting involved in the sale of drugs to fund his own habit.
“He had been thrown out of the family home because of his drugs use and he was living a very chaotic lifestyle.
“It was his arrest that led to the realisation that he had to do something to stop his life deteriorating.
“It seems he has done everything he possible could since his arrest. He has been involved with the Prince’s Trust and was short-listed for a national award. He has been drug-free for nine months and he has a full-time job. He has shown real remorse and has done everything to change his life around.”
Campbell Weir (54), of Thorney Road, Guyhirn, also admitted supplying M-Cat and possession of the drug with intent to supply. He was bailed to appear back in court for sentence on March 18.
