A TEENAGER who left Liverpool to deal heroin and crack cocaine in Burnley is starting a 28-month term in custody.

Burnley Crown Court heard Dominic Powell, 18, had been dealing the drugs from a house in Escar Street whilst on bail for another offence.

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Prosecuting, Lisa Worsley said at 9am on February 10 officers carried out a drugs warrant at a house in Burnley. Whilst there they spotted Powell and another man, Robert Proctor, acting suspiciously in a Renault Clio, the court heard.

The court heard that officers apprehended the pair and discovered the car was connected to a flat in Escar Street. When they searched it they found 18 wraps of crack cocaine and 16 wraps of heroin, whilst Powell was found to be in possession of 1.14 grammes of heroin. The court heard the total value of drugs was £600.

Police also found £640 stuffed under a sofa, as well as drug parapahalia including scales and small plastic bags. Mobile phones were also found at the scene but police could not unlock them so could not prove they were being used for the purpose of dealing.

Defence barrister Ken Heckle said Powell owed money to criminals in Liverpool and was being pressured to sell drugs to clear his debt.

Mr Heckle said: “He was clearly earlier this year out of control and off the rails. He was influenced by other, more sophisticated and older men. He is a cog in a much bigger machine. This is a very impressionable young man who has been used by others.

“He has got some GCSEs and he is trying to use them now and is attending college. He is very much at a crossroads not only in age but maturity.

“I don’t want to be political but with the current state of prisons a custodial sentence will more than likely result in him going down the wrong path.” Powell, of Lingtree Road in Kirby, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.

Recorder Andrew McLoughlin said: “For whatever reason you came to Burnley. Money was owed to certain individuals. The reason you involved yourself in street dealing was for financial gain to pay off the debt and live away from your family.

“A lot of your problems have created a ripple effect on your family.”

Powell was sentenced to 28 months in a young offender’s institution and ordered to pay a victim surcharge. An order was made for the destruction of the drugs and forfeiture of the cash found during the raid.

Mr Recorder McLoughlin said Robert Proctor was not prosecuted for the offence after telling police he allowed his property in Escar Street to be used as a base for dealing in return for drugs.