A FROME drug dealer was given a three-year jail sentence suspended for two years when he appeared in Taunton Crown Court on Tuesday (August 25).

Judge Richard Shepherd said the jail term could be suspended because Hope Hares, aged 26, of Fritillary Close, did not have ‘a criminal lifestyle’.

Hares earlier pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine in Frome on March 10 with intent to supply, and having £484.20 of criminally acquired property.

Judge Shepherd said Hares would be tagged and subject to a curfew for three months until November 24 to remain at his home address between 9 pm and 7 am nightly.

He also ordered Hares to undergo nine months of mental health treatment and up to 30 days of community activities under probation service supervision.

The cocaine and drugs paraphernalia were to be destroyed and Hares had to pay £484.20 compensation and a £187 victim fund surcharge.