A FAMILY man caught hiding £6,000 worth of cocaine in his safe has been spared immediate imprisonment.

Hard working Alan Starkey lost his job and got into debt when he fell prey to money lenders, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Starkey, 47, of Midway Avenue, Cottingley, near Bingley, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine on September 6 last year.

Prosecutor Paul Nicholson said police seized168 grams of cocaine, worth around £6,120, from a safe at Starkey's home after a tip-off from Crimestoppers that the Class A drug was about to be moved.

The court heard that Starkey was storing the drug in return for payment.

He had since found another job and had an excellent probation report and 'fantastic' references.

Starkey's solicitor advocate, Ash Mahmood, said: "He is a hard working family man who got himself into trouble and acted stupidly and foolishly."

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC sentenced Starkey to two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 300 hours of unpaid work and £500 prosecution costs.

"Sometimes it is right that a judge takes a longer view of a case," he said.

He would be "surprised and extremely concerned" if Starkey offended again.

Starkey thanked the judge as he walked from the dock.