A TEENAGE drug dealer caught 'red handed' with heroin and crack cocaine in his rucksack claimed he was lent on by people further up the chain who threatened his family.

Aston Robinson admitted possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday).

The 18-year-old was stopped by police in Trent Close, Droitwich on October 3 with 97 wraps of drugs and £223.86 in cash and coins.

Timothy Harrington, prosecuting, said: "When they found this defendant he gave a false name or the name of a relative."

In interview Robinson of Roslin Grove, Birmingham, claimed he had come to Droitwich to pay off a drugs debt.

His phone was seized and text messages demonstrated he had been dealing drugs.

Robinson said in his basis of plea: "I had had been threatened that I or my family would be harmed if I did not sell drugs for those who supplied me."

Barry Newton, defending, said Robinson had been 'lent upon'.

He added: "He has been told from the outset an immediate custodial term beckons. I believe he's genuinely terrified of that. I say that the court can take an exceptional course and suspend the prison term with that sword hanging over him."

Robinson, who has now begun an apprenticeship, received a referral order at the youth court in August 2015 for dangerous driving, having a knife and possessing cannabis.

He was also cautioned in October for possession of cannabis.

Recorder Paul Bleasdale QC said: "You were caught red handed.

"It doesn't look to me like you're just someone who has fallen off the rails."

Mr Bleasdale took account of the defendant's youth and his guilty pleas, giving him full credit.

"I accept, although not without some reservations, you were under the influence of others at the time.

"A sentence of custody in a young offender institution is likely to do more harm than good in your particular case."

He sentenced Robinson to two years in prison suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

Mr Bleasdale said: "You have just had your last chance. It's entirely up to you."