A MAN who started smoking cannabis aged 13 has admitted dealing the drug at the age of 20.

Darren Graham-Crichton sold cannabis to help fund his own habit, Plymouth magistrates were told. He admitted possession of 110 grams of cannabis with intent to supply on March 8.

Magistrates gave him, a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work.

Gareth Warden, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said police spotted Graham-Crichton, of Tavistock, behaving suspiciously in Bedford Square, dropping a small bag on the floor, which was later found to contain a small amount of cannabis.

Police searched his house and found 109.69 grams of the drug in total, with a street value of about £800.

Jane Wills, for Graham-Crichton, said he had no previous convictions but had started using cannabis from a young age.

She said: 'It is probably now so habitual that you could almost call it a dependancy. He sold just enough to sustain his own dependency.'

Mrs Wills said he had been to his GP, but was still waiting to see a Devon drugs agency.

Probation officer Bernie Ross said Graham-Crichton began smoking cannabis at 13.

She added: 'He wants to turn his life around with his girlfriend and young child. He is very remorseful and ashamed.'