Two teenagers caught in a brazen daylight drugs deal have been locked up.
John Henry Spencer, 18, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were spotted with 80g MDMA, the party drug commonly known as ecstasy, worth up to £4,000 at the Waters Green underpass last summer, the court heard.
CCTV operatives spotted the suspicious activity and directed police to the scene, prosecutors said.
Officers swooped and caught the 17-year-old, but Spencer ran off only to be traced later using DNA found on the bags of drugs, the court heard.
At Chester Crown Court, Spencer, of Shaw Street, Macclesfield, and the other male from Macclesfield, both admitted possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.
Both were sentenced to detention and training orders, Spencer for 30 months and the other teenager for 24 months.
Sentencing Judge Nicholas Woodward said: “You were involved in a drugs transaction. Spencer you were the dealer’s dealer, while the 17-year-old could be classed as a street dealer.
“You decided to go for the easy money and were caught.”
Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, said the incident happened at August 19 at 11.30am.
He said: “Police are made aware of activity on CCTV cameras in Macclesfield of suspicious activity in the underpass at Waters Green. Officers went to the scene where they managed to arrest the 17-year-old. Spencer was about 150m away and ran off. Spencer was supplying the other male with MDMA. Police found a plastic bag with four packages weighting around 20g each.
“The 17-year-old initially claimed he had been approached by two males he did not know and forced to carry the drugs.
“Spencer’s DNA was found on the knot on top of the bag.
“Analysis of text messages also showed he had been involved in previous deals.”
Clare Thomas, defending the 17-year-old, said: “He was immature and naive. James Edwards, defending Spencer, said: “It was naive and foolish and he regrets getting involved.
“He has used cannabis from an early age and has become seriously sidetracked.”
