A teenager from Peasenhall found in possession of £20,000 has been “given a chance” to mend his ways after being given a suspended sentence. 

Jacob Wasteney, of Oak View, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday.

The 19-year-old had pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property, both relating to September last year.

The court heard that on September 16, 2023, police attended an address in Wattisham, where Wasteney lived, having been tasked with removing a dog from a garage.

Having dealt with the dog, while in the garage officers found a toolbox containing three plastic bags of cannabis as well as a jar containing the drug. 

Officers returned to the address on September 30 with a warrant to search the house.

Under the bed in the room where Wasteney was staying, they found a Nike Air Max bag containing £20,000 in cash.

They also discovered a list of phone numbers and calculations, which the prosecution said showed the profit Wasteney was making from dealing cannabis.

The court heard that on May 7, 2023, police had seen a car matching the description of a wanted vehicle driving past them.

Once parked, Wasteney and another man exited the vehicle, both of whom were detained to be searched.

Wasteney initially denied that he had the car key, but eventually admitted that he had hidden it down his trousers.

Inside the car, officers found a Louis Vuitton bag containing a “large amount” of cannabis separated into foil wraps, scales and a grinder. Wasteney also had £200 in cash on his person.

Officers moved the search to his home, where they discovered 128 grams of cannabis and around £7,000 in cash.

The court heard that on February 9 this year, a relative of Wasteney’s had found a bundle of cannabis in his vehicle, separated into deal bags, and £285 in cash.

In mitigation, Wasteney was described as a “troubled young man”, and it was heard that he had been diagnosed with a personality disorder.

Judge Kelly sentenced Wasteney to 12 months in prison for both counts to run concurrently, which he reduced to nine months in light of his guilty pleas.

He then suspended this sentence for 18 months. The 19-year-old was also ordered to carry out up to 20 Rehabilitation Requirement Days.

“I am giving you a chance,” Judge Kelly told Wasteney. “If you were a more sophisticated, adult offender with previous convictions, I would without hesitation be sending you to prison.”

However, he said he was giving Wasteney an opportunity to make better choices, on account of his young age and his diagnosis of personality disorder.

If Wasteney appeared before him again, Judge Kelly said he would “have to think very carefully about if there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation”.