A TEENAGER introduced to illicit drugs by older friends when he was just 13 has been prosecuted for dealing Ecstasy and Ketamine at the Kendal Calling music festival.

Cole Eric Sanderson, 19, was caught with £950 worth of the two drugs after a police search dog singled him out at the event on July 25, 2019, Carlisle Crown Court was told.

The defendant, of Brisco Meadows, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to four offences.

He admitted possessing Ecstasy with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of the same drug; and he admitted possessing Ketamine with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of that same drug.

Alaric Walmsley, prosecuting, outlined how the defendant was caught while at the four-day Kendal Calling festival on the Lowther Estate near Penrith, which is said to attract between 20,000 and 30,0000 people.

When searched he was found to have 56 Ecstasy tablets and 6.79g of Ketamine powder.

Police found he had a further 16 Ecstasy tablets and 42g of MDMA (Ecstasy) powder.

An analysis of the teenager's mobile phone showed he was "actively involved" in offering to supply both types of drug between July 17 and the day of his arrest, the court heard.

"This is a case of a young man supplying the drugs he was addicted to," said Mark Shepherd, defending.

"He's been using them since the age of 13 or 14, having been introduced to them by older males."

The lawyer said Sanderson - 17 and 11 months at the time of the offences - was naive but now felt deep regret.

The teenager had made considerable efforts to beat his drug addiction and was now not using "party drugs" and had also shunned cannabis, said Mr Shepherd.

"This is, he says, a massive lesson learned," added the lawyer. Recorder Neville Biddle imposed 20 months youth custody but suspended the sentence for two years.

The defendant must complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity.