A teenager has admitted money laundering after he was caught trying to post £4,300 hidden in a stereo.

Samuel Morris, of Park Avenue, Douglas, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to remove criminal property from the island.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court that 17-year-old Morris was captured on CCTV footage posting the package at Windsor Road post office on September 17.

The parcel was addressed to a woman in Ellesmere Port but Morris’s name was written on the package as the sender.

It was x-rayed at the sorting office and identified as a suspicious package.

When police arrived and opened it they found a stereo inside which, when taken apart, was found to contain a bundle of cash totalling £4,300.

Morris was arrested at his home and when interviewed handed in a prepared statement saying he had been approached and asked to post the package in return for money.

He said he was given £20 to cover the postage but had received no further payment.

Morris was said to suffer from ADHD and has no previous convictions.

Mr Robinson submitted that the case was suitable for sentencing in summary court but would have to be committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery as a confiscation order for the money could only be made at the higher court.

The prosecutor said that it was hoped that this legislation would be changed next year to allow confiscation orders to be made at the summary court.

Magistrates accepted summary court jurisdiction, which will mean sentencing powers at the higher court will be limited to the lower court sentences.

Morris will be sentenced on a date to be set.

Bail continues in the sum of £500 with a condition to live at his home address.