A TEENAGER was handed a detention in a young offenders institute after being caught with thousands of pounds worth of drugs.

Morgan Williams, aged 19 and of Heol Bathafarn in Coedpoeth, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Friday having previously admitted four counts of possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Prosecuting, Myles Wilson told the court how police spotted Williams acting suspiciously and with “bulging pockets” in the Southsea area on May 24 last year.

Once he was searched, officers recovered bags of crack cocaine and heroin worth between about £1,500 and £2,000.

He was arrested and later released under investigation.

Then on September 17 he was spotted by officers outside Queensway Sports Centre and appeared to hide something in his trousers.

Officers formed the view he may have been involved in a drug deal and detained him.

A phone and cash were recovered and during a further search at Llay Police Station, a quantity of crack cocaine and heroine fell from his underwear.

These were valued at about £3,000.

Mark Connor, defending, said: “It is depressing that this young man, who is now only 19, committed these offences and has thrown away some of his best years.

“He is not a sophisticated criminal, he is at the bottom of the food chain.

“The real story here is how he has been preyed upon by much more experienced criminals who know exactly what to do in selecting young and somewhat vulnerable people to carry out their dirty work of street dealing.

“He was only 18 when he committed these offences but since he has moved back in with his family he has turned a corner.

“He has started to see signs of real maturity.

“At the time these offences took place he was a in a completely different world, surrounded by negative peers.

“He has now divorced himself from that and has cleaned himself up.

“Effectively, this young man has learned his lesson.”

Mr Connor, also said Williams had been affected by the trauma of losing his father.

Judge Nicola Jones sentenced Williams to two years and four months in a young offenders institute.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £170.