A teenage drug dealer has been committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing.

Scott George Cooper, of Willaston Crescent, Douglas, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession of the drug, obtructing police, and possessing criminal property, namely £2,290 in cash.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court how police were on patrol in Willaston on April 19 at 3.15am when they saw Cooper, who is 19, sitting in a Ford Fiesta on his driveway with a juvenile.

There was said to be a smell of cannabis eminating from the car but when police were about to search the vehicle Cooper jumped on one of the officers and shouted to the juvenile to ’get the stuff and go’.

Nothing was found in the car but a search of Cooper’s house found a large roll of bags, £2,290 in cash, a grinder, and a small amount of cannabis.

When interviewed Cooper handed in a prepared statement saying that he was not a drug dealer and the small amount of cannabis was for his own use. He claimed that he had saved the cash.

However, an analysis of his mobile phone showed messages confirming he was involved in the supply of cannabis, with weights and prices listed.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor entered a basis of plea on behalf of his client in which Cooper admitted dealing to friends to fund his own drug use. He said that he had obstructed police because he did not believe they had authority to search his car.

With regards to the cash Cooper said that £500 was from the supply of cannabis but the remainder of the cash was his savings from legitimate earnings.

Prosecutor Mr Swain said that this would need to be investigated further before being accepted.

Mr Taylor said that it was roughly estimated that Cooper had sold in the region of 330 grams of the drug between October 2019 and April 2020.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes declined jurisdiction and committed the case to the higher court where Cooper will be sentenced on November 13.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with conditions to reside at his home address, contact probation, and not leave the island without court consent.