Bristol judge orders teenage dealer 'don't do it again'

A TEENAGER caught dealing class A drugs has been spared immediate prison.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer QC told Khadar Aden he had committed a serious offence, but was giving him a "real chance" to turn his life around.

Aden, 18, of Fishponds Road in Eastville, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply over three days in July last year.

The judge told him: "I'm persuaded there's a pretty good chance you will not be before a court again and you will make sure you are not."

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Aden was given 18 months' youth custody, suspended for 18 months.

He was made the subject of an 18-month community order, told to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and attend five days of education, training and employment.

Drugs found on him were destroyed and cash forfeited.

Nadeem Aullybocus, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court police pounced after spotting Aden pass a drug user a wrap of drugs.

Aden was found to have a "deal" of cocaine, weighing 0.19g and worth £10, as well as ten deals of heroin totalling 1.73g worth £100.

Aden told police he was walking through St Anne's Park when he thought he spotted a bag of cannabis, took a wrap out, and decided to take it to his cousin's house.

He said £68.84 found on him was the remainder of his £112 fortnightly Job Seekers Allowance.

Mr Aullybocus told the court: "He said he wasn't a dealer. He said he didn't know what crack or cocaine looked like. He then pleaded guilty to dealing."

The court heard analysis of Aden's mobile telephone showed text messages akin to drug dealing.

Mary Cowe, defending, said her client had been a recreational user of cannabis but was not addicted to class A drugs. She said Aden had become isolated from family and friends in the UK, struggled for money, and had been dealing for three days.

Miss Cowe said: "He is looking for work. He doesn't go out a great deal and he has been keeping himself to himself."