A 34-YEAR-old man who was bullied into storing cannabis at his home, but got a little bit for himself in return, has walked free from court. Judge Raymond Bennett told Mark Hauk, 34, a Canadian, that the prosecution could not disprove the defendant's claim that other people kept their drugs at his home and went to get it and he was then given a small amount of it.

Hauk, of Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, admitted possessing cannabis resin with intent to supply and possessing the drug. He had no previous convictions in this country, but did have in Canada. He was given 60 hours' community service and 12 months' probation. Harry Narayan, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court that police searched Hawk's home and found 14 grams of cannabis in various locations in the front room. He said he had paid £40 for it.

Upstairs under the floorboards, officers found 55 grams of the drug, worth £220, but the defendant denied that it belonged to him. When he was interviewed, he said he was being bullied by visitors introduced by his girlfriend and they had the run of the house. Hauk said that in return, he got cannabis for himself at a reduced rate and he had taken the drug since he was 10 years old. Mr Narayan said he used the digital scales found at his house to check he had bought the correct weights of drugs. Cling film was used by the visitors and a list of five names was being kept on their behalf.

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