Officers descended on Steven Probert's house and found drugs, hundreds of pounds in cash and two mobile phones.

They searched the property while Probert was out and found a bag containing about £700-worth of skunk cannabis hidden in his bedroom.

They also seized £900 in cash and various items of drugs paraphernalia including cannabis grinders and dozens of little plastic bags from his room.

Examination of the two mobile phones revealed a number of texts from customers asking to buy drugs from him.

The messages showed that the 21-year-old was dealing cannabis on a regular basis to a small network of friends and associates.

When he was interviewed by police, Probert denied he had been drug dealing on a commercial basis.

And he claimed he had saved up the £900 to buy a car.

But following a hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court, Judge Roger Hetherington ruled that he had been involved in dealing drugs on a regular basis for profit.

Probert, of St Michael's Way, Clanfield, was jailed for a total of eight months. He is likely to serve half the sentence in custody before being released in to the community on licence.

Judge Hetherington said: 'Anyone who comes before the court who is a commercial dealer of skunk cannabis must expect a custodial sentence.'

Probert admitted one count of possessing a class C drug with intent to supply.