A young woman "used" by a drug dealer to sell cannabis has escaped prison.

Charlotte Cusworth, 21, of Cooper's Piece, Wallingford, admitted supplying cannabis - a class B drug - as well as possession of cannabis and possession of heroin.

At Oxford Crown Court yesterday, Judge Anthony King sentenced her to carry out 100 hours community work over the next 12 months and rehabilitation order.

Brendan Davis, prosecuting, said police officers searched her Wallingford address on November 29 last year and found scales and 80 grams of cannabis, with a street value of £260.

Paul Mitchell, defending, said: "She was used as a shield from the police."

In passing sentence, Judge King said Cusworth had narrowly avoided a custodial sentence.