A teenager with a knife was caught dealing drugs outside of a busy Newcastle shopping centre.
Samuel Sparks was captured on CCTV selling cannabis before being found in possession of the blade when he was subsequently arrested and searched.
The 18-year-old was oblivious to the fact he was being watched by police on surveillance cameras doing the illegal deal in Old Eldon Square.
A court heard that officers then descended on Sparks and he was found to have a sheath knife, MDMA tablets, cash, small plastic pouches and a grinder in his rucksack.
Sparks, who claimed he had the blade for his own protection, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to supplying a class B drug, attempting to possess a class A drug and possessing a sharp-pointed article.
Prosecutor James Long said it was on December 30 last year when officers in Gateshead Police Station spotted Sparks, of Feetham Avenue, Forest Hall, in North Tyneside, on CCTV.
Mr Long told the court: “In a nutshell, the defendant is caught on camera dealing cannabis in Old Eldon Square.
“Police attended and spoke to him and found, within his shoulder bag, a sheath knife.
“He’s also in possession of what is believed to be two MDMA tablets. It’s charged as an attempt as the tablets were never physically analysed, although he admits they were MDMA.”
Magistrates heard that Sparks admitted he had the knife before he was searched and claimed it was for his own protection.
Annalisa Moscardini, defending, said Sparks had never been in trouble before and had agreed to sell the cannabis under pressure from another man.
She added: “He’s got involved with another young man of similar age who uses and takes drugs.
“There has been some pressure put on him to deal the cannabis. He’s pretty much immediately been caught and he’s actually grateful for that.”
Magistrates deemed that their powers to deal with the case were insufficient and committed Sparks to Newcastle Crown Court for sentence.
He was released on unconditional bail to next appear there on April 16.
