A Peel teenager has admitted arranging a drug deal on Snapchat which went wrong.

William Crowe agreed to meet a man on the old railway line in Union Mills where he collected what he thought was Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), commonly known as ’acid’.

However, he then tried to sell the drug and was assaulted by another man and later found that the drug was fake.

The 18-year-old, who lives in Michael Street, pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a class ’A’ drug with intent to supply, and attempting to supply a class ’A’ drug.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes declined jurisdiction and the case was committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing on December 3.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court how Crowe had started talking to an unidentified male on Snapchat who had asked him, ’Would you like to earn some money?’

Crowe agreed to meet the man in Union Mills on June 14 on the old railway line.

At the meet, the man gave him 250 tablets, said to be LSD, and told him to sell them for a total of £500 but that he could keep any other money he made.

The teenager was then contacted by another male on Snapchat asking to buy 50 tablets for £250.

They agreed to meet but when they did, Crowe said that the man assaulted him and took the drugs. He reported the assault to police but did not mention the drugs at first. However, Crowe then said that he did not want to make a complaint against the man concerned in the assault.

Crowe then later went to Peel police station and said he wanted to ’come clean’, and told the police about the drug sale.

He said that the rest of the tablets were behind a brick in a wall at the rear of Michael Street. The pills were located and sent for testing but found to contain no illegal substance.

Ms Cubbon submitted that the case was not suitable for summary court sentencing.

Defence advocate Jane Gray agreed that the case should go to the higher court. A probation report will be prepared before sentencing. Bail was granted with conditions to reside at his home address, contact probation and not leave the island without court consent.