The town's crown court heard Usman Maqsood (18) had wraps of drugs on him, rocks of crack cocaine in his pocket, cash and mobile phones.

Maqsood, training to be an electrician, was said to have been young and naive and to have made a mistake. He told police he was doing it on someone's behalf, to pay off a £700 debt – not a drugs debt – had been supplying for three weeks and would earn more cash if he got more customers, the hearing was told.

The defendant, of Ferndale Street, Burnley, admitted possessing crack cocaine, between February 19th and March 3rd and possessing the drug with intent to supply.

Miss Sarah Statham (prosecuting) said police, who had had no idea about the defendant's drugs activities, received a phone call in March, from a member of the public, saying drugs were being sold outside Burnley College.

Officers saw three Asian men there, near a telephone box. All three were arrested but two were released without charge.

Miss Statham said Maqsood had on him a small silver container containing two wraps of crack cocaine. Rocks of the drug were in his jacket pocket and he also had three mobile phones and £140 cash.
At his home, officers discovered digital scales in his bedroom and plastic bags. The crack cocaine was worth £140 on the streets.

Maqsood told police he would pick up the crack cocaine after it was left in various places. He said he was dealing to people he did not know, but who were put in touch with him by the person who left the drugs.

The prosecutor said Maqsood claimed he had been selling the rocks for £15 a time and if he received £100 for the drugs, he would get about £30. He had no previous convictions.

Mr Joe Boyd (for Maqsood) said he had worked hard to get qualifications. He sold a small amount of drugs over a very short period. He deeply regretted his involvement and had made a mistake.

The barrister went on: "The public would not feel affronted if this court, in these particular circumstances, stepped back from an immediate custodial sentence, to enable him to complete his apprenticeship as an electrician."