FOUR friends from Northwich who sold drugs to fund their own drug habits have been spared immediate jail sentences.

George Knight, 19, of Seagrave Close, Northwich, Jake Moss, 20, of High Street, Northwich, Adam Benfedda, 19, of Douglas Close, Hartford and Benjamin Fone, 21, of Eaton Crescent, Davenham, all appeared for sentencing at Warrington Crown Court on Tuesday.

Moss and Knight both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs at a previous hearing.

On July 1, 2014, Knight was stopped in Northwich by police while he was riding his moped.

Police searched the vehicle and found 45 used zip bags and five bags of a white substance, which was later identified as mephedrone, known more commonly as M-Cat.

Evidence recovered from Knight’s phone subsequently led to the arrests of Moss, Benfedda and Fone, who all attended Mid Cheshire College’s Hartford Campus.

Knight, who was 17 at the time, was described in court as a ‘street level dealer’.

Defending, Adam Till said: “He accepts the crown’s case. He accepts that he was involved in drug dealing for financial gain.

“Though there is no evidence to suggest he was spending money on a lavish lifestyle during the conspiracy.”

Knight, who was supplied by his friend Moss, is currently taking part in an apprenticeship.

Defending, Chris Hunt said Moss was involved in selling ‘small amounts of cannabis to friends and friends of fiends’.

He is now studying criminology at Salford University. Mr Hunt said Moss was ‘very ashamed of his behaviour’.

Mr Hunt said: “He has now moved on quite significantly in his life in every way shape or form.”

Benfedda pleaded guilty to two counts of offering to supply class A drugs and two counts of offering to supply class B drugs at a previous hearing.

Prosecuting, John R. Oates said various text messages recovered from Benfedda’s phone appeared to offer the sale of drugs, including M-Cat, MDMA, cocaine and cannabis.

Defending, John Marsh said Benfedda was selling drugs to fund his own drug habits.

“He was doing very badly at college and was regularly taking drugs,” Mr Marsh said.

Benfedda, who was 16 at the time, is now studying at the University of Central Lancashire.

Mr Marsh said: “He is a young man with potential, a young man who has pulled his socks up and put this behind him to make the best of life.”

Fone was described as a ‘facilitator’ in the sale of cannabis. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs at a previous hearing.

Defending, John Hedgecoe, said Fone was of ‘positive good character’ prior to the offence.

Delivering his verdict, Judge S.J Bedford said: “I want you to understand how close to a custodial sentence you have come.

“Each of you have much to offer. Use it wisely rather than devious activity like this that has brought shame not only to yourselves but on your family.

“Make good use of this wake up call. Make good use of the warning given to you.”

Moss was sentenced to 12 months in a youth offenders institute, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to take part in a 20-day rehabilitation programme and was given an electronic curfew for two months.

Knight was sentenced to 10 months in a youth offenders institute and Benfedda was sentenced to two years in a youth offenders institute. Both were suspended for two years.

Fone was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

Knight and Benfedda were all placed under electronic curfew and ordered to varying hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months.