A drug dealer with a mystery illness won a court's mercy and kept his freedom - but a judge warned him he couldn't play the same "card," again.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Keith Goode, 29, had cannabis to the tune of almost £3,000 at his Barnoldswick home and owned up to supplying one nine ounce bar to callers every seven to 10 days.

Goode, who used £20 worth of the drug a day himself, had undiagnosed health problems, as well as spinal difficulties, was having an MRI scan and other treatment and feared he would not getthe medical help he needed in custody.

The defendant, of Lower Rook Street, Barnoldswick, admitted supplying cannabis and possessing the drug with intent to supply.

Sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson slammed him as "exceedingly stupid," as it was the third time he had been in court on drugs offences and, she added, he had been shown mercy the last time.

The judge said the defendant, who was subsidising his own cannabis use by dealing, was frank and open with police. But, she continued: "Complex as your unresolved medical history is you can' t keep coming to court and playing that card."

Goode was given a 12 month jail term, suspended for two years, with supervision. Judge Watson told him :"You have been given a golden opportunity."