A MAN has avoided jail after being found in possession of almost £1,500 of cocaine and a CS gas canister.

Craig Clewes, of Cedar Road, Chesterton, was stopped by police at 4.50pm on June 19 last year as he drove up Crackley Bank to Red Street.

Prosecutor Philip Beardwell told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday that Clewes volunteered he had half an ounce of cocaine in his pocket. A search revealed a CS gas canister in the glove box.

The cocaine weighed 29.3 grams, had a purity of six per cent and a street value of £1,450. Clewes, aged 28, said the drugs were for his own use and he found the gas canister while out walking. He said he intended to hand it into the police but forgot.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a class-A drug and having a weapon for the discharge of noxious liquid.

Stephen Oldham, defending, said the defendant has not used drugs since last summer.

Judge Granville Styler sentenced Clewes to a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work.

Clewes must also pay £1,000 towards prosecution costs.