A DEALER was caught with more than a kilogram of cannabis after intruders broke into his home armed with baseball bats and sticks.

Edward Sarra fought off the attackers who raided his father’s home in Teignmouth but the officers called to the incident realised he had a large supply of drugs.

He also had a taser in a display case at the house and was caught with more cannabis 18 months later, although this time it was all for his own use.

Sarra was spared an immediate jail sentence after his father Nicholas told a judge at Exeter Crown Court that his son is now overcoming long-standing drug issues that have made him mentally ill.

He is now working full time from home as a customer service adviser and wants to re-engage with probation.

Sarra, aged 22, formerly of The Strand, Dawlish, but currently living with his father in Teignmouth, admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply, personal possession of cannabis, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

He was jailed for 11 months, suspended for two years, curfewed for six months, and ordered to go on a probation-run Thinking Skills course by Recorder Mr Andrew Langdon, QC.

He told him: ‘This was a significant quantity of cannabis and a serious amount of cash. Your father tells me you have made significant changes to your life.

‘It you have at last come to your senses and stopped doing drugs, which were ruining your life and that of your family, there is a prospect that the courts will not see you again.’

Miss Kelly Scrivener, prosecuting, said Sarra was found with the drugs after police were called to an armed incursion into his father’s home on December 18, 2019.

A total of 1.27 kilograms of cannabis and a quantity of cash were seized, along with the taser, which had not been used, although Sarra told police he had defended himself with a knife.

He was caught with a much smaller amount of cannabis weighing 72.38 grams on June 19 this year. The original stash was worth £9,000 to £12,000 if sold on the street.

Miss Rachel Smith, defending, said Sarra’s heavy use of cannabis had caused psychosis which was so severe he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for four days last year.

She said his life spiralled out of control because of his use of cannabis and cocaine and he turned to dealing because he was in debt and needed to finance his own habit.

She said he was naïve and exploited by others but had now been taken back in by his father, stopped his abuse of drugs and found work as a phone-based customer adviser.

His father Nicholas gave evidence and told the Judge that Sarra’s mental health had improved greatly as a result of his abstinence from drugs.