A former cancer victim traded antiques for pain-relieving supplies of cannabis, Southend Crown Court was told.

William Austin, 55, of Cotswold Road, Westcliff, was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £76 costs after admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

He also admitted possessing 56 mg of herbal cannabis and 257 mg of amphetamines.

In total he had 119.93 kg of cannabis resin with a street value of £514.

Police found this when searching his home after discovering him in a Westcliff pub with ten packets of cannabis in his waistcoat pocket.

They also uncovered £310 cash stuffed into the arm of a sofa but Austin, who had no bank account, said this was for paying household bills.

The court heard how Austin began smoking cannabis in the mid 1970s to relieve the pain of sciatica and continued to be an infrequent user.

Following a bout of chemotherapy to treat cancer, he began using cannabis again.

He heard of a second hand furniture dealer who paid customers in cannabis for antiques they brought in.

Austin came away with six ounces of cannabis after parting with two antique tables and three opium pipes.

Then he expected to do further trade with two statuettes he was given worth £60, and took cannabis to the pub for the donor in return.

In sentencing him, Judge Frank Lockhart told him if he failed to keep out of trouble during the two year conditional discharge, he could be jailed for up to a year.

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