TWO drug dealers were handed suspended prison sentences at Truro Crown Court on Friday.

Allan Coggin-Eyre, of Trelowen Drive, Penryn, and Stefan Spitteri, of Pendarves Road, Falmouth, were stopped in a vehicle by police on October 31 and a string of offences were unearthed.

Coggin-Eyre, aged 51, who has 17 previous convictions for drug-related crime, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, producing cannabis, acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, namely cash, possessing MDMA and obstructing a police officer.

Police found 99 grams of cannabis resin under the front passenger's seat and he also had 194 grams in his hallway at home, plus a total of 118 grams of cannabis plant.

He also had £1,348 in his wallet.

Spitteri, also aged 51, had 280 grams of cannabis in the boot of his car to the value of £2,800. He was also charged with obstructing a police officer and possession of ketamine.

In court, Miss Castle, for Coggin-Eyre, asked Judge Robert Linford to consider that when sentencing her client, he could not be able to do unpaid work.

The Judge replied tersely: "I find it hard to understand how they are suitable for drug dealing, but can't do some light dusting."

He ordered the seizure and forfeiture of Coggin-Eyre's £1,348 to be given to the Cornwall Rape Crisis Centre, while Spitteri's £886 received the same treatment.

In delivering his sentence, Judge Linford added: "You had a quantity of cannabis in the vehicle in which all the trappings of dealing were found. You're both old enough to know you should not be doing this."

Both men's jail terms were for 12 months, suspended for two years. Coggin-Eyre was also ordered to undertake a six-month alcohol treatment and a ten-day rehabilitation.

Spitteri will have an electronic tag for three months and a curfew from 7pm to 7am on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

* The court list from this week's magistrates court will appear on the Packet website later today.