A teenager with a "bright future" foolishly tried to sell drugs to a club manager and asked him 'do you want a line?'.
George Kelbrick was arrested after he tried to sell cocaine in the Black Rabbit Shot Co, on Fleet Street, on February 11 last year.
The then 18-year-old was caught after being seen "hanging around the toilets" of the bar, by area club manager Tony Magee.
After his suspicions were aroused Mr Magee went into the toilets, at which point Kelbrick asked him 'do you want a line?'
Liverpool Crown Court heard how Mr Magee then asked the defendant "are you selling?" and he confirmed he was.
Derek Jones, prosecuting, said: "Mr Magee then told the defendant 'I am the area manager of this club, don't try and run' and took him upstairs where he was detained by bar staff.
"Mr Magee then flagged down a passing police car and police came into the club where the defendant was seen initially struggling with staff and was put under arrest."
On his arrest Kelbrick, of Trispern Close, Halewood, volunteered to police that he had drugs on him and police found 10 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.1 grams, with a street value of between £124 to £310.
A single text message on his phone found by police also said 'are you on the graft?'.
He provided 'no comment' on interview but pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
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A small amount of cannabis was also found at his home when searched by police.
Defending, Paul Lewis told the court how the delay in bringing Kelbrick's case to the court meant he was now 20 years old and had "emotionally matured".
He said: "He has no previous convictions and is of previous good character.
"He is 20-years-old now but was 18 at the time.
"The delay in this case is something the defendant had no control over.
"But had he been sentenced when this happened he would have served the entirety of his sentence in a young offenders institute.
"Whereas now he will serve a significant proportion in an adult prison."
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Taking into account the delay in the case coming to court, Kelbrick's guilty plea and previous good character, Recorder Richard Archer said it was "a difficult one" for him to sentence.
However he concluded he could not suspend the sentence and said "the public would expect those who deal drugs to go into custody".
Sentencing him to 28 months in a young offenders institute Recorder Archer said: "It is difficult because you had a bright and promising future ahead of you.
"It is also difficult because there has been a delay of proceedings that is not your fault.
"You have no previous convictions and have shown genuine remorse and are of previous good character.
"You are now in a different place in your life than you were in 2018.
"However those who deal recreational drugs on licenced premises should expect the courts to deal with them seriously, no matter what promising talents they have for their future.
"I cannot suspend your sentence.
"The public expect that those who deal drugs no matter their background to go to custody."
Recorder Archer also added that to not give jail terms to those who deal drugs just because of their talents or previous good character would be allowing them to "hide behind that".
Kelbrick will serve half of his sentence before being released on license.
