A drug dealer who carried on supplying cannabis after police raided his home has been spared prison.
Officers searched Darren Pope's house and his girlfriend's address and found cannabis, dealing paraphernalia and cash - but that was not enough to put him off.
When police returned around six months later, they found more drugs.
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A CS gas canister, which police had "left in situ, incredibly", the first time, was also seized.
Newcastle Crown Court heard officers executed warrants at the Gateshead homes of Pope and then-partner Kirsty Pattison on January 22, 2019.
A small amount of cannabis was found at Pope's home but at Pattison's there was a larger amount of cannabis, £3,712 cash, dealers lists, scales, pepper spray and a gold metal cosh.
In July 2019, both homes were raided again and more cannabis was recovered, mainly from Pope's address on that occasion.
The total value of all the seized cannabis was up to £3,500.
Facebook messenger correspondence shows the drug dealing was mainly carried out by Pope.
Pope, 26, of Rawling Road, Bensham, Gateshead, who has six previous convictions, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing a weapon designed to discharge a noxious gas, attempting to supply cocaine - he said he would make inquiries when someone asked him to source some - and possessing cocaine.
He was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months with a nine month curfew.
Kirsty Pattison, 31, of Eddison Gardens, Gateshead, who has no previous convictions, admitted permitting her premises to be used for the purposes of supplying cannabis and was sentenced to six months suspended for 12 months with a six month curfew.
Jane Foley, for Pope, said the dad has a history of anxiety and depression and his cannabis use escalated when his father became terminally ill and then died.
She added that he had a gambling addiction and said that accounted for some of the cash found.
Miss Foley added: "The pepper spray was unopened with the seal on it.
"He had that because he had an Akita dog and in case there were any problems.
"It was found in the first search and left in situ, incredibly."
Rachel Hedworth, for Pattison, said the working mum allowed him to use the premises for no financial gain and added that she was remorseful.
