A DRUG dealer who had tens of thousands of pounds worth of drugs has been given a stay of execution by a judge so he can be there for the birth of his child.

Sean Lucitt of Worcester was told by a judge he faced an inevitable jail term for possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply.

However judge Nicolas Cartwright, sitting at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday, said he would adjourn the sentence for a week so Lucitt could be there when his pregnant partner was induced.

The 25-year-old of Cherwell Close, Tolladine, Worcester admitted four offences - possession of a class B drug (cannabis) with intent to supply on October 25 last year; possession of a class A drug (cocaine) with intent to supply on December 20 last year; possession of a class B drug (cannabis) with intent to supply on December 20 last year; possession of criminal property (£1,405 in cash) on December 20 last year.

The judge said: "It's going to be prison. You need to prepare yourself. It's not your girlfriend or partner's fault you happen to be appearing today and she is going to be induced tomorrow. It is not supposed to be a punishment for her."

The judge's decision to adjourn sentence was greeted by smiles from Lucitt's family, sitting in the public gallery overlooking court three.

Michael Conry, prosecuting, said the defendant was seen to get into a people carrier taxi in Shakespeare Road, Dines Green, Worcester on October 25 last year.

Police noticed a smell of cannabis and it was stronger in the back where the defendant was sitting. Officers found 220g of cannabis in large freezer bags inside a black rucksack.

Mr Conry said the street value of the drugs was up to £2,000 and not less than £1,200.

Lucitt was on bail for that offence when officers executed a search warrant at his mother's address in Cherwell Close, Tolladine on December 20.

The defendant was not present when the warrant was carried out. Police searched the loft, finding a luggage-sized suitcase containing 1kg of cannabis bush with a street value of £10,500.

They also found a tin containing 27.6g of cocaine worth between £800 and £1,800 and a handbag in the bottom of a wardrobe containing £1,405 in cash.

Mark Sheward, defending, said Lucitt had been a user of cannabis for a number of years, building up a debt with those who used to supply him.

Mr Sheward said: "He was given the opportunity of paying off that debt, working for those who used to supply him. That is exactly what he did."

Mr Sheward said when the drugs were seized from the taxi by police that effectively increased his debt.

"He was told if he did continue working for them he could expect not only financial difficulties but physical difficulties as well. He was threatened with physical violence" Mr Sheward told the court.

Lucitt said he was holding the cannabis and cocaine at his mother's address for the people who supplied him and would have given it back to them when they wanted it.

Mr Sheward acknowledged Lucitt had a financial motivation but said there had been coercion.

The judge said he would reserve the sentence to himself at Worcester Crown Court this Friday (June 2).