A young man who was caught with thousands of pounds worth of drugs has narrowly avoided jail time. 

Declan Hornby, aged 22, was sat in a car with three others in Westhoughton in May 2021 when they were approached by police. 

Hornby, who is of Lee Bank, Westhoughton, had multiple bags of cocaine and cannabis in the car, as well as a small bag of ketamine, and was arrested. 

On Monday, almost three and a half years since the incident, he appeared at Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced for his offences. 

Prosecuting, Anna Bond said: "On May 5, 2021, at around 8.35pm, a sub-inspector was on patrol when he saw a silver Vauxhall Corsa parked in Westhoughton. 

"The defendant was in the driving seat with three other men. The SI approached and could smell cannabis." 

Upon searching the car, the inspector found multiple packets of cocaine and cannabis, in places such as the "door pocket", "glovebox" and on Hornby's person, as well as a small bag of ketamine. 

Ms Bond added: "In total, there was 1.62g of ketamine, 39.43g of cocaine and 410.6g of cannabis. 

"The street price of the cannabis was £3688, the cocaine was £2850 and the ketamine was £30. 

"He gave a no comment interview and has no previous convictions or cautions." 

As well as the drugs, cash totalling £1751 was found in the car. 

Hornby had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of cocaine, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of cannabis and possession of ketamine. 

Defending, David James said: "It is three and a half years since this offence, he was 19 years old at the time. 

"He has to accept that he is the foolish one of the group. He is the one holding drugs, he will be in trouble. It is a well-known scenario of social supply." 

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Mr James said that Hornby had been on his way to a party. He also stressed that he had not fully matured at the time, as a 19-year-old. 

He added: "This young man is not the same young man that he was three and a half years ago. What we have is a young man who is wholly anti-criminal and prosocial. He is a constructive member of society. 

"He is a young man whose maturity may have been kickstarted by these proceedings, but he has put that behaviour behind him." 

Mr James quoted testimonies from those who know Hornby, including a colleague and his boss from his roofing job, as well as members of his family.

He was described as "hardworking and dedicated" and witnesses told how he had pursued his own education in his work as a roofer. 

Mr James said this work has "shown this young man can change his life" and lead a "properly constructive, prosocial work life". 

Sentencing Recorder Karen Ridge said: "This case clearly crosses the custodial threshold, but you are evaluated as having a lower risk of reoffending and have not offended in the three and a half years since. 

"You have a good prospect of rehabilitation." 

She sentenced him to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for a period of 24 months, as well as 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. 

Recorder Ridge added: "It is unusual for persons charged with the offences with which you are charged to walk away from them. 

"I hope you will appreciate the chance given to you. I hope you can put this matter behind you and get on with your life."