A CANNABIS dealer labelled a 'career criminal' at the age of just 21 has been spared yet more time behind bars.

Jordan McKenna, 31 and of Cromwell Gardens in Bournemouth, had 517 grams of the class C drug at his home when police raided the property on July 8 2018.

Last week, the dad-of-two was spared a prison sentence at Bournemouth Crown Court after his barrister said he's finally beginning to change.

Sadie Rizzo, prosecuting, said police had attended the property in connection with an "unrelated incident".

"When the officers arrived, the door was open. There was a strong smell of cannabis," she said.

"Items were seized, including 517 grams of cannabis found in a carrier bag on the kitchen floor."

The street value of the drugs is £5,170 if rolled into individual joints, it was heard.

McKenna admitted possession of a class C drug with intent to supply it.

Kevin Hill, mitigating, said: "He has been using cannabis for many, many years.

"He says he has turned his life around, and has done so in the past year."

Judge Oba Nsugbe QC told the defendant: "You don't need me to tell you that you are someone who is on a collision course with immediate custody.

"You have young children. You should be setting a different type of example to them.

"I have read about your past, and you have clearly had difficulties, but you have got to be responsible for your own actions."

McKenna was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 12 months, as well as 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

Detective Constable Ben Swain, of Bournemouth CID, said: “We are committed to taking action to tackle drug dealing and drug related activity in our communities and I am glad that through our investigation we were able to identify Jordan McKenna as being involved in the drug supply chain and bring him before the court to be sentenced.

“I would urge anyone with information about suspected drug related activity in their area to contact us via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.”

A decade ago, the defendant was jailed for six years for his part in a gun shop raid.

McKenna, then 21, was caught behind the wheel of a stolen car which had five revolvers, three shotguns and an air rifle in it.

The guns had been stolen during a burglary at TAL Arms Ltd in Fairmile Road, Christchurch.

McKenna admitted burglary, driving while disqualified, aggravated vehicle taking and possessing firearms at the time of his arrest.

He was told during sentence that he was already a 'career criminal'.