A TEENAGE apprentice caught with more than £2,000 worth of cocaine has been given a second chance by a judge.

Jason Woolford was pulled over by police who were initially concerned about his driving, Burnley Crown Court heard.

But when officers returned him to Blackburn's Greenbank police station, he confessed to having 14 wraps of cocaine on him, the court was told.

The 19-year-old later insisted he had only been carrying the drugs to sell to his friends.

But prosecutor Peter Barr said he also accepted he would sell cocaine on to "friends of friends" if he had any left over.

Woolford, of Cambridge Drive, Padiham, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

He was given a two-year jail sentence, suspended for two years by Judge Sara Dodd.

The teenager must also carry out 240 hours community service and complete 10 rehabilitation activity days with the probation service, as well as paying £500 court costs.

Passing sentence, Judge Dodd told Woolford, who has no previous convictions: "I have no doubt, in terms of rehabilitation, that these proceedings will have a significant effect on you."

Mr Barr said when he was searched the defendant also had another bag of cocaine in his possession. The purity of the drug was around 78 or 79 per cent, among the highest possible.

Matthew Howarth, defending, said his client, who was supported in court by his parents, had demonstrated a "degree of immaturity" through his offending and was genuinely remorseful.

"There is no inference that he would have been high on the chain (of drug dealing) above him," he added.

"There is also no evidence of substantial financial gain, other than that which has been outlined in the pre-sentence report."

Mr Howarth said Woolford was also at a very low risk of reoffending.