A teenage drug dealer found hiding in the Chippenham house of a vulnerable man has been spared an immediate jail term.

Everton Spence, 18, had hundreds of pounds worth of heroin and crack hidden in his pants as well as a mobile phone with message related to dealing on it.

But after hearing that the 18-year-old had ten GCSEs and had never been in trouble with the police before a judge imposed a suspended sentence.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court last week that Spence was arrested by police on Monday, February 17, when they were making welfare checks at a house in Old Road, Chippenham.

"They were making welfare checks as he [the householder] had been receiving threats from criminals higher up the criminal network from him," she said.

"He let them in, said he was the only person in the property, and allowed them to look. They found Mr Spence.

"He gave his name as Daniel Spence and a date of birth but couldn't recall his home address."

Miss Marlow said it was clear he was under the influence of something and after they found a small amount of drugs on him they took him to the police station.

When he was strip searched they found ten wraps of crack cocaine and 11 of heroin with a total street value of £320 and £115 in cash along with the phone.

Miss Marlow said he made no comment in interview and said it was their case that he was a runner for a more senior dealer.

Spence, of Morris Road, Lockleaze, Bristol, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing class-A drugs with intent to supply.

Dianne Heys, defending, said: "He says he does not use class-A drugs. He says he was simply looking after the drugs. There must be a little more to it than meets the eye."

She said he had never been in trouble with the police before and comes from a supportive family who are keeping him away from his criminal peers.

Passing sentence, judge Tim Mousley QC said: "I have no doubt you were a drug user. You say only cannabis but I have real doubts about that.

"I have do doubt that you were influenced by those higher up the supply chain and under pressure to do what you did.

"I see no difference whether you were holding the drugs for someone else or a runner. This was an isolated incident by someone with no previous convictions and you have expressed remorse."

He imposed a 16-month jail term suspended for two years and told him to do 150 hours of community service, a three-month night time curfew and supervision.