A TEENAGER caught dealing cannabis was "drifting along" after leaving his A-Level studies halfway through, a court heard.

Almost a year on from his arrest, Samuel Lofthouse-Hill's prospects are "significantly better", his lawyer said yesterday.

The 18-year-old has a job as a chef and is looking to earn a four-year modern apprenticeship with a manufacturing company.

His solicitor, Ben Pegman, told Teesside Crown Court that the Darlington teenager left school with "significant promise".

He studied maths and physics at college, but left in his first year and was "drifting along" as he sold drugs to friends.

Police discovered some of his stash when they approached his car in Newton Aycliffe and noticed a strong smell of cannabis.

More of the stuff was found when Lofthouse-Hill's home was searched last October, along with incriminating text messages.

The teenager, of Linden Avenue, Darlington, was given a 12-month community order with supervision and 80 hours' unpaid work.

Judge Howard Crowson told him: "You are still only 18, and mercifully we don't see many people of your age in these courts.

"I hope we don't see you again. If you carry on dealing cannabis, we will. You need to put that cannabis use behind you."

Drugs worth a total of £540 plus £170 in cash as well as grinders, scales and grip-seal bags were found by police.

Lofthouse-Hill admitted a charge of possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply over a three-week period last August.