A TEENAGE drug dealer was caught out by police after they found messages on his mobile phone from his customers.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Amar Riaz, 19, had a mobile phone next to him when he was stopped in a car in Brierfield.

When it was analysed, it contained messages from people asking for heroin and cocaine.

Addict Riaz, of Every Street, Nelson, admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply on March 2 and being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, between January and March.

He was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for two years and eight months.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gibson said: “If you are convicted of this type of offence for a third time, the starting point will be seven years.”

Robert Kearney, prosecuting, said police stopped the vehicle in Brierfield. The defendant was the front passenger.

Cannabis and Rizla papers were on the floor and the car smelled of cannabis.

Riaz had been released from custody last December and was still on licence when police stopped a vehicle in Every Street.

He was clenching something in his hand. It was a wrap of heroin of 40 per cent purity.

The defendant made no comment in two interviews.

The prosecutor said in July last year Riaz was sent to detention for 18 months for possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and was released last December.

Jeremy Coleman, for Riaz, said the defendant had completed a gym instructor's course and had made it clear to the probation service that whenever he was released he had aspirations to use the qualification.