By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 11:16, Saturday, 08 September 2012

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was seen by undercover police officers in Carlisle visiting a stash of drugs worth nearly £3,000.

At the city’s crown court, the teenager, now 17, was given a three year rehabilitation order after the court heard how he was used as a “runner” by more sophisticated drugs criminals.

Prosecutor Tim Evans said the boy’s link to the drugs came to light as police officers conducted covert surveillance, watching woodland in the Denton Holme area.

On September 29 last year, the defendant was seen disappearing into an area of shrubbery but in just 74 seconds he reappeared, clutching a small white item in his hand.

Having recovered what police say was a “wrap” of drugs from the bushes, he then left the area.

It took one of the two officers watching the scene five minutes to locate the hidden drugs stash, which consisted of 23 heroin wraps worth up to £2,777, and 60 wraps of crack cocaine, worth £1,528.

Mr Evans said: “In interview, [the defendant] said he’d never been to the woodland at all.

“In his second interview he said he’d gone to the woodland and became interested in the area because he’d seen some males hanging around in it. He said curiosity took him into the woodland.”

The defendant, who admitted possessing heroin, and possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply the class A drugs, had no previous record for drugs offences.

He had previously been in court for 16 offences, including burglary and violence.

Rachel Barrow, for the teenager, said his role was minor, and carried out under the direction of others. She said he was “naive,” and had mental health issues.

“He’s vulnerable and easily led,” she told the court.

Recorder Paul Lawton, passing sentence, ruled that the defendant should not be publicly identified.

He said he would have had no hesitation in lifting reporting restrictions had the teenager been a principle player in the crime. The teenager’s role, however, had been important because it allowed the drugs trade to flourish.

The judge noted that the defendant undoubtedly suffered from conditions which made him vulnerable.

He imposed a three year youth rehabilitation order, with 91 days of intensive supervision and an 8pm to 8am curfew for three months.

PColeman@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 10:48, Saturday, 08 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk