Delay in a court case being dealt with saved a convicted drugs courier from jail.
Roger Davidson was caught with two kilos of cannabis on the M5 near Bristol in November 2019.
But it took 18 months until today (May 14, 2021) for the case to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court.
Davidson, 45, of Church Lane, Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply.
Judge Julian Lambert was told the case was delayed due to analysis of Davidson's phone and an expert's report on drugs recovered.
He handed Davidson a six months prison sentence suspended for two years.
The told him: "It is the delay that stops me from sending you straight to jail."
Davidson was told to abide by a nine months curfew in which he must stay indoors on electronic tag from 7pm to 7am.
He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours' unpaid work.
Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said police acting on information stopped Davidson in a VW van on the M5 at Weston-super-Mare junction 21.
Recovered from him was a large amount of cash and just over two kilos of cannabis.
An expert concluded the drugs could be worth up to £21,000.
Davidson made no comment when interviewed.
His criminal benefit was put at £21,855.75 and an available £1,615.75 was confiscated.
Daniel Bramhall, defending, said: "This was a complete lapse of judgement by Mr Davidson, a fundamental mistake that he made.
"When he agreed to undertake the couriering of these drugs it was financially motivated.
"He was a self-employed painter and decorator.
"Work had dried up, he needed funds to support himself.
"He accepted £1,000 as a quick solution to his problems.
"He knew that he was transporting drugs.
"He wasn't privy to the value or the amount of drugs."
