A SOUTHAMPTON man who owned business cards for his cannabis dealing has avoided jail.

Miguel Castro, 26, was caught by police after an officer was handed his mobile phone while investigating a separate incident.

Castro however was not in the area at the time and the officer tried the passcode “1,2,3,4” which, to her surprise, opened the phone.

On the device, the officer found text messages offering cannabis for sale and texts from others asking for drugs.

Castro was arrested at the police station after he attended to ask officers for his phone back.

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Southampton Crown Court heard that when his address was searched, 128 grams of cannabis was seized with a street value of between £650 and £900.

Also found at his home were bags and business cards.

Prosecuting, Matthew Lawson said Castro had been handing out the cards to advertise his services adding that his activities “involved a regular supply of cannabis”.

Castro of Cook Street, Southampton, made no comment when questioned by police.

He later pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Mitigating, Audrey Archer told the court her client is “deeply ashamed and embarrassed” to be in court.

“He was brought up and raised well by his mother in Portugal. They are, as he describes, good people who he has let down through his offending.”

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She added that Castro, who holds down two jobs - one in a restaurant and another as a scaffolder - could lose his employment if he goes to jail.

Judge Christopher Parker said, however, that he was “just about persuaded” that a suspended sentence order could be imposed.

Castro was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £400 in court costs.

He added: “For some people - not everybody, but for a significant majority - misuse of cannabis, especially skunk cannabis, can bring on or aggravate mental illness.

“I don’t want to see you again. I very much hope that you will never come to the crown court again.”

An order was made for forfeiture and destruction of the drugs, drug paraphernalia and the phone.