A STREET dealer who used his mother’s phone to sell drugs has been given a final chance by a judge.

Preston Crown Court heard 18-year-old Thomas Linford had been dealing drugs to pay off his own cannabis debt, which had started at £200 but risen to £700 with interest.

The court heard that Linford, of Sandy Lane, Accrington, had received threats from the people he was in debt to which were so severe that he moved out of his family home.

But Recorder Mukhtar Hussain said he more than anyone knew the consequences of taking drugs and the misery they cause.

Prosecutor Mercedeh Jabbari told the court that Linford’s offending came to light on November 22 when police saw the defendant and his two associates sat in a car in the carpark of the The Britannia Inn, Oswaldtwistle.

Ms Jabbari said the officer's attention had been drawn to the car because the driver’s window was fully open when it was a cold and windy night.

As officers approached the car a tub containing crack cocaine was thrown from the driver’s window, although the prosecution accepted Linford had nothing to do with that.

On a rear seat passenger, who cannot be named for legal reasons, police found 17 snap bags containing cannabis.

Ms Jabbari said they found £85 cash on Linford and an iPhone which showed evidence drug-related conversations between the defendant and the rear passenger. At Linford’s house they found weighing scales and empty snap bags.

Ms Jabbari said: “It is the prosecution’s case that the defendant is a street dealer.”

The court heard that Linford, who pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, had a previous drug-related offence on his record dating back to 2015 and when he committed his latest crime he was still in the period of a youth referral order.

Defending, Richard Dawson said his client had been using cannabis heavily at the time of the offence and has since turned his life around and found a job.

Mr Dawson said: “Naive, immature and frankly stupid are perhaps the best words, if not the only words, to describe the conduct and behaviour of Thomas Linford back in November last year. He accepted that stupidity by pleading guilty.”

Linford was sentenced to 15 months an a young offender’s institution, suspended for 18 months, and told to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also pay a £140 victim surcharge.

Mr Recorder Hussain said: “While you may have been doing it in order to earn money the consequences on those who become addicted to drugs can be devastating. You yourself know that because you got involved and built up a debt in relation to drugs. A debt where threats were made.”