A YOUNG drug dealer was warned to expect the “hiding you deserve” from his father by a judge after he spared him from a custodial sentence.

Edward Bartlett, 20, was caught by chance trafficking cannabis after police were investigating a burglary in Abergavenny.

Prosecutor Julian Greenwood told Cardiff Crown Court how officers were called to a suspected break-in at a neighbouring flat to the defendant’s girlfriend.

After discovering it was a false alarm, police then noticed a “strong smell of cannabis” coming from Barlett’s partner’s apartment.

Inside they discovered 100 grams of the drug of “street dealer value” worth between £715 and £965, mobile phones, weighing scales and plastic bags.

Mr Greenwood said the phones contained “drug-related text messages”.

Police also found "cannabis cookies".

Bartlett, of Queen Street, Nantyglo, represented by Roger Griffiths, admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis, offering to supply the class B drug and simple possession.

The offences were committed on May 17, 2018.

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: “You were bang at it. All the phones, the scales, the bags.

“You have driven your family to despair.”

He told Bartlett that those who deal drugs usually end up in prison but he was giving him a chance and, by not imposing a custodial sentence, he was helping him to look for a job.

The judge added: “This happened at a difficult period of your life. You are making something of your life.”

Judge Parry handed out a 12-month community order and 250 hours of unpaid work.

The defendant must also pay £200 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

Before Bartlett walked out of court, he told him: “Go and get the hiding you deserve from your dad. I’m the least of your worries.”