BROTHERS who were found with a "considerable haul" of money and cannabis have been told by a judge they let their father down.

The pair were caught red handed when police raided the family home and found more than £6,000 worth of drugs and cash in excess of £5,000.

Officers arrested the pair after executing a drugs warrant which initially saw their innocent father taken away and held in a police cell.

The brothers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were 23 and 16 when the bust took place last September.

David Stanton, prosecuting at Reading Crown Court on Friday, said: "In the loft officers found a black Adidas rucksack that contained various quantities of cannabis.

"There were empty bags and numerous other items including scales with residue more plastic bags and paraphernalia in what I would say amounts to dealing in cannabis.

"The defendants were then detained at the house and a further search took place."

In total 492.88g of cannabis was seized along with £5,070 in cash, some of which had been stashed in their sister's bedroom while she was away at university.

Kenneth Aylatt, defending the younger brother, said: "He is an illustration of exactly how people fall into drugs. They are given some and fall into a group and of course he has to do some favours to pay for what he is given and before you can blink he is supplying for friends."

Alan Walker, defending the older sibling, said: "The position so far as he is concerned is that because he was dependent on cannabis this was an assistance to fund his own habit but he has since addressed that."

Recorder Elizabeth Smaller said: "Police found a substantial quantity of cannabis and money at the home address at which you lived with your father.

"Cannabis worth £6,000 and money in excess of £5,000; at the ages of 16 and 23 that is a considerable haul.

"Your accounts may vary slightly but what you both agree is that you were selling cannabis for financial gain.

"Your father has set a good example to you in many ways and for his trouble he has been arrested and put in a police station in a police cell because of your actions."

However Miss Smaller noted progress the men had made since their initial arrest in giving up drugs, describing them as "not bad lads".

Both men, now 24 and 17, admitted to one count of possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.

The older brother was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community and pay a £60 victim surcharge.

His younger sibling was sentenced to a 12 month rehabilitation order, a supervision programme and to pay a £15 victim surcharge.