A TEENAGER has narrowly missed being given a custodial sentence after admitting possessing drugs with intent to supply.

A judge, who described Michael Todd as naive, told him he was the first person he had not imprisoned for the offence.

Teesside Crown Court heard Todd was arrested in Darlington, in October last year, with a £5 bag of skunk cannabis and, following a search of his bedroom, officers found a bag containing four to six tablets worth of ecstasy powder and 272 milligrams of cocaine.

Todd told the police he was looking after the Class A drugs for a friend, who he refused to name, and would hand them over whenever he was asked.

He pleaded guilty to two charges possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and one charge of possession of a Class C drug.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough, Judge Peter Fox, said: "You have been quite naive, I hope you now realise the seriousness of your situation. These were hard drugs you were looking after and you were then providing them to someone else, and that is supplying.

"I can't think of another case where I have not sent someone to prison for that sort of offence, so I'm making a huge exception for you. I am doing it for no other reason than you are trying to improve your life and I believe you can put this behind you."

The 18-year-old, of Brankin Road, Darlington, had pleaded guilty to the charges when he previously appeared before the court.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said: "The cannabis was for himself, he had just bought it for £5. The drugs in his bedroom, he was looking after for someone else."

James Fenney, mitigating, said the teenager was now in regular employment as a roofer and was trying to turn his life around.

He said: "He has been free from drugs for the last eight months and has been in full time employment for several weeks."

Judge Fox gave Todd a two-year community order supervision, as well as 160 hours of unpaid work