A NEWPORT cannabis dealer who devised a "moronic scheme" to advertise his services on Facebook was given a suspended sentence and told to wear an electronic tag.

Ricky Dupont, 21, was caught outside Maesglas shops after plainclothes police officers smelled cannabis and searched him on November 26 last year.

The court heard Dupont, of Maerdy Close, would ride around on his pushbike offering people the drug in order to fund his gambling addiction.

Judge Thomas Crowther QC described his attempts at dealing as "an entirely moronic scheme as you decided to advertise your willingness to sell drugs on Facebook."

The court heard Dupont had begun dealing in October last year after losing his job as a cleaner and facing pressures in his personal life, selling around six ounces in total.

He divided the cannabis bush into £10 bags and had made around £300 profit in that time, the court heard.

He also used the mobile messaging service BBM to advertise, the court heard.

Police found two bags worth £10 on his person. After searching his house they found more cannabis, bringing the total to 63 grams, as well as scales and some cash which had not yet been counted.

Dupont was convicted of possessing cannabis with intent to supply and supplying cannabis at Gwent Magistrates Court on September 17 and committed to Cardiff Crown Court for sentence.

He was given a prison sentence of six months suspended for two years and ordered to undertake 180 hours of unpaid work as well as to wear an electronic tag enforcing a curfew between 8pm and 6am for three months. He was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.