AN eagle-eyed policeman caught an Old Hill drug addict smoking a spliff and more than £700 worth of skunk cannabis was found when his home was searched.

The officer spotted Paul Jones and two other people acting suspiciously in Priory Park, Dudley, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

Jones, aged 39, threw away the spliff when he saw the policeman had seen him, but a body search revealed he had two more in a tin, £30 worth of loose cannabis and £385 in cash.

Howard Searle, prosecuting, said skunk cannabis worth up to £720 was found in a search of his Clifton Street home, and analysis of a mobile phone revealed messages relating to drug dealing.

Jones admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for two years.

He was also placed on supervision for two years, ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work in the community and to attend the drug rehabilitation programme.

Nicole Steers, defending, said Jones had resolved his drug habit but turned back to cannabis and alcohol after losing his job.