A 25-year-old man who received £2,200 worth of cannabis in the post has been handed a suspended sentence.

Ryan Stuart Corlett, of Croft Park, Andreas, pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the production of the drug to the island as well as being concerned in the supply of the drug and possession of it.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sentenced him to six months custody, suspended for two years and also fined him £500.

We previously reported how police were called to the Post Office sorting office on June 17 after a report of a suspicious package addressed to Corlett. In the parcel police found 52.9 grams of cannabis inside, valued at £1,058.

Corlett was arrested at his home and a jar of cannabis was found containing 11.5 grams of the drug, said to be worth £230.

At police headquarters Corlett told police the drug had been ordered by a friend on his behalf and he had paid him £100, though he said he expected it to be poor quality.

Corlett was bailed by police but on July 7 he contacted them and told them that he had received a second package. He said he was ’in enough trouble’ and had forgotten it had been ordered before his initial arrest. This package contained 57.1 grams of the drug, valued at £1,142.

Corlett’s mobile phone was analysed and found to contain messages on Snapchat and WhatsApp which implicated him in the supply of cannabis.

When interviewed by police Corlett said the second package had also been ordered by a friend on his behalf and he had paid £150, but he denied that he had ever sold drugs. However, Corlett admitted he would set up people with a dealer if anyone contacted him.

A basis of plea was entered in which Corlett said he had only expected to receive around one ounce in the packages for his own use and that he had not paid the values stated.

In relation to phone messages he admitted that, on one occasion, in March 2019 he had supplied a small amount to a person.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood handed in 13 letters of reference for his client, including one from Motiv8 who Corlett was said to be working with.

’He has already made significant changes and is doing well,’ said Mr Wood. ’So we don’t see a return to cannabis use.

’He has not smoked cannabis since the offences and that change is significant. He has a good track record with work and very good support.’

Mr Wood went on to say that his client had been somewhat naive and asked for credit to be given for his co-operation with police, engagement with Motiv8 and his lack of previous convictions.

’They all point to a young man who has learnt from this experience,’ said the advocate.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes sentenced Corlett to two months custody for the first production charge and three months for the second, to run concurrently. He was also sentenced to three months for supplying the drug, to run consecutively and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs. Corlett must pay the fine and costs at a rate of £200 per month.