A HAMPSHIRE music performer has been caught dealing cannabis.

James Vyse, who performs under the name Vyse MC, was caught with 33 deals worth of the Class B drug when police visited his home.

Officers also found texts sent from his phone showing price lists for different amounts of cannabis.

Vyse admitted dealing cannabis, but claimed it was on a small scale and only to friends.

The 31-year-old was given a suspended sentence during a hearing at Southampton Crown Court.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson told the court how police visited Vyse’s home on August 18 last year, following reports of a domestic incident.

When officers arrived they saw Vyse fleeing the area and gave chase.

During the chase, Vyse was seen to throw a tin, which when recovered, was found to contain cannabis.

Officers later searched Vyse’s then home and found more cannabis.

Mr Lawson said in total, police found 38 individual bags of cannabis, worth an estimated £285 in street value.

He added: “Police also seized his phone and found conversations with a named person asking for cannabis and a response by the defendant with a price list, offering different quantities of cannabis for different sums of money.”

In mitigation, Andrew Stone told the court that Vyse had no previous convictions for drug dealing.

Vyse, whose address was given as Shakespeare Drive, Totton, pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply.

Judge Nicholas Rowland sentenced him to a six month sentence, which he suspended for 18 months.

Judge Rowland said: “You are going to prison on the next occasion if you don’t behave.”

Vyse was also given a six month curfew, which will keep him confined to his home between 8pm and 7am every day.