A KATES Hill man has avoided jail after he was caught with cannabis outside Dudley Magistrates Court.

Faid Saleh, of Shamington Close, started using the drug after he was stabbed in the chest and shoulder in a “ferocious” attack, which left him in a coma for two of the four months he spent in hospital.

The 23-year-old is now registered disabled and used cannabis to self medicate while also selling some of the drug to a group of friends and associates, Jas Mann, defending, told Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Mr Mann added: “He is a user of cannabis because of difficulties from the injuries he sustained.

“He accepts he did on occasions receive money for drugs from his friends.”

Nicholas Berry, prosecuting, said that police officers were patrolling the Dudley town centre area in an unmarked car, looking for cars linked to the supply of drugs.

They spotted a vehicle by the court in The Inhedge and saw two men inside trying to hide their faces.

The officers smelled cannabis coming from the car and saw drug particles on the dashboard.

Inside the vehicle they found a blue plastic bag, containing eight wraps of cannabis with a street value of £80 and they seized a mobile phone that contained messages relating to the sale of drugs.

Mr Mann said Saleh had been in the car smoking cannabis with a friend and while he was the registered owner of the vehicle, his condition meant he was unable to drive.

Saleh admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and he was placed on supervision for 12 months and must obey a four month curfew between the hours of 8pm and 6am.

Recorder Stephen Linehan QC further ordered him to pay £2,400 prosecution costs and ruled he was able to take a lenient course in the case because of his problems.

The court was told Saleh had been spending £50 a week on his cannabis habit and the recorder ordered him to pay the costs at £200 a month until they had been cleared in full.