Drug dealer, 12, took £2,000 out of bank account week before arrest

A DRUG DEALER aged just 12 took out nearly £2,000 in cash from his bank account in little over a week before his arrest, a court heard today.

The fresh-faced youngster, who cannot be named, was caught peddling skunk cannabis to children of a similar age in a park after school.

Cops found his Nationwide bank book on him which showed five cash withdrawals in the previous eight days.

He also had 23 grams of skunk worth around £230 and £240 in cash, Exeter Youth Court was told.

Prosecutor Ann Hampshire said police spotted a group of youths in a park one evening last October of similar age to the defendant.

She said: “When he was searched he had in his possession a quantity of small plastic bags of the type in which deals of drugs can be placed.

“He had on him his Nationwide bank book, a mobile phone and a small quantity of cannabis.”

She said the book showed five cash withdrawals over an eight day period with the total taken out "just under £2,000".

The lad’s phone contained text messages such as "Do you need any stink?" and "I can get you £25 worth, is that alright?".

Rubbish

Miss Hampshire said he was going to supply the drugs after school.

When questioned, the boy, from Exeter, lied that he had found the cannabis and bags in a rubbish bin near some toilets in the park but there were no bins in that area.

He admitted being a cannabis smoker and has previous convictions for burglary and being found in enclosed premises.

His mother wept as defence lawyer Stephen Nunn claimed her son had "come into some money".

He said the offence fell between small-scale supply and sharing cannabis with pals.

The fair-haired defendant admitted possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply.

He spoke directly to the three magistrates sentencing him and said he knew what he had done was wrong, adding: “I should not have done it, it is not worth it anymore.”

Turning to his weeping mother he said: “I am sorry for stuff I have done to her. I know I should not have hung around with these people. I regret it now.”

The magistrates imposed an 18-month Youth Rehab Order with supervision and education.

They warned him he had reached "a turning point" in his life and said he faced being locked up if he reoffended.