A MAN who started using the drug M-cat when he became depressed after losing his job, has been jailed after he turned to dealing, a court heard.

Police arrested Owen Thomas and a 16-year-old youth for possession with intent to supply after recovering 73 grammes of the Class B drug at the home of Thomas’ then girlfriend, Samantha Johnston, in Lockbridge Way, Milnsbridge, last April.

Chloe Fairley prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday that officers were searching the premises looking for keys for a vehicle outside when one thought Johnston was acting suspiciously over a large handbag.

They found a black bag containing a number of small self-seal bags containing white powder and a plastic container, which had a further 60 grammes of the drug inside. There was also a set of scales and £2,000 in cash.

Johnston accepted she had moved the black bag belonging to Thomas into her own handbag suspecting drugs might be inside.

All three admitted possession with intent to supply.

Thomas, 32 of Deighton Road, Deighton, was jailed for eight months.

Johnston, 26, was given a 12-month community order with a 30-day medium level activity requirement and supervision.

The teenager, now 17, was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order with supervision, 100 hours unpaid work and a three months electronic curfew from 9pm to 7am.

Gillian Batts, representing Thomas, said he and the juvenile, who cannot be identified, accepted responsibility for dealing to acquaintances and that Johnston had not been involved.

She said Thomas had been in employment as a supervisor with a building contractor until early 2012 but after losing his job and not finding replacement work found time heavy on his hands.

He became depressed and started using M-cat, then became a dealer because of financial pressures and his own misuse of the drug.