A MAN who sold cannabis from his home has been spared time behind bars because of his commitment to changing his ways.
Rhys Clark, 26, of Kooringal, sold cannabis to an undercover police officer through an associate three times in March and April.
The undercover operative was a member of Strike Force Calyx, formed in February to tackle drug dealing in Wagga.
Clark pleaded guilty in Wagga Local Court to four counts of supplying a prohibited drug – three times to the undercover operative and once to a mate, who smoked cannabis given to him for free while watching football on television with Clark.
Clark also pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing cannabis, which was found at his house by police executing search warrants on February 16 and June 16.
And he also pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon (home made knuckle dusters) and a one-metre-high cannabis plant found growing in a pot in his back yard when police called in on February 16.
Magistrate Erin Kennedy said Clark’s offending went beyond a good behaviour bond and even community service, reaching the threshold for a custodial sentence.
But she balanced the seriousness of Clark’s offending with his commitment to rehabilitating, particularly his participation in the Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment Program.
“You don’t get a report more favourable than this,” Ms Kennedy said.
She ordered an intensive corrections order assessment for Clark and will sentence him in January. If found suitable for an ICO Clark will stay out of prison.
