A county lines drugs mule has been was put behind bars for two and a half years on after being caught out by chance by an "eagle eyed" police community support officer.

Karen Bennion was in a CCTV centre for another reason last August when she spotted Joel Johnson, now 18, counting a wad of cash in Seaview Road, Colwyn Bay and raised the alarm.

Realising a camera was pointing at him he put the money in his pocket but was caught by a police sergeant, giving a false name after hiding the cash and drugs in a bush.

Karl Scholz, prosecuting at Caernarfon crown court, said ten wraps of crack cocaine and 13 of heroin, altogether worth £158, had been recovered along with £920. He was 17 at the time.

"For someone so young he has an appalling record," said the barrister. There had been convictions for possession of cannabis, one for attempted robbery and another for having a bladed article.

Judge David Hale commended the “eagle eyed” PCSO for going beyond her duties and said this should be endorsed on her record.

Sarah Holt, defending, said Johnson, of Carnarvon Road, Liverpool, was already serving two years youth detentions imposed at Chester crown court for possession with intent to supply - an offence which happened after he had lost the £920 and the drugs when they was seized at Colwyn Bay.

She said he had grown up with no support, being used by people who were older and more sophisticated.

Judge Hale said Johnson "has obviously set his face against society". He had been easy prey for "for those who want people to go out and distribute drugs for them."

Passing sentence on Johnson, who pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and heroin for supply and having criminal cash, the judge said the two and a half years would be served consecutively to the Chester sentence.