A teenager caught dealing drugs has escaped being locked up - despite a judge declaring it would send out the wrong message.

Leian Davies had one bag containing ecstasy and another stuffed with herbal cannabis when arrested in the street in Borough Green on July 20.

Judge Jeremy Carey, pictured left, told the 19-year-old's lawyer: "When people read in the newspaper, as they will in a column maybe down the end of column five, that somebody who is selling drugs on the street does not go inside, then it sends out the wrong message.

"I need to say what ever the mitigating features, this is so serious it needs to be marked by a custodial sentence. You say it does not."

But the judge said Davies should be grateful to Jacqueline Taylor, of the parish council, who had written to the court saying he was overcoming his problems.

"If someone in a responsible position in Borough Green is prepared to say that, it cuts some ice with the court," he said.

Davies, of Maidstone Road, Borough Green, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing ecstasy.

He was sentenced to 10 months' youth custody suspended for 18 months with 200 hours' unpaid work and supervision.

Keith Yardy, prosecuting, said two police officers had been checking for drugs at pubs in West Malling and Borough Green.

"there is a message that goes out if you do not go into custody straight away that it is alright to do what you did and you get away with it..." – judge jeremy carey

Davies was walking towards a bar when he was stopped and searched. He was found to have 0.612 grams of ecstasy and 1.9 grams of cannabis.

A further search at his home revealed 23 small packets containing a total of 35.7 grams of skunk cannabis.

He eventually admitted selling drugs to pay a debt.

Judge Carey said he believed there was more "commerciality" than Davies was prepared to admit.

"The reality in the drugs world is once they hear there is a supply, they are like bees around a honey pot," he said.

"There is a message that goes out if you do not go into custody straight away that it is alright to do what you did and you get away with it. All you get is a rap over the knuckles.

"I am not going to send you to prison, not because I feel sorry for you.

"Consider yourself fortunate and do not assume it is a let-off, because it isn't."

The judge added: "I have little doubt this is a wake-up call for you and your family.

"With the support of your father and some determination on your part not to return to the drugs world you may not reappear before the courts."

Leian Davies was spared jail at Maidstone Crown Court

Samantha Ridley, defending, said Davies started using cannabis at the age of 14 after his parents separated. He was smoking £40 worth of cannabis a day and taking ecstasy occasionally.

"His father assisted him to be clean," said Miss Ridley. "He has been a doorman for 20 years and is anti-drugs. Being arrested was a big shock. He only sold drugs to friends.

"I am look for a way in which he does not lose his liberty, not that he doesn't deserve to lose his liberty. He does. I am concerned with rehabilitation.

"He has gone to live with his father and hopes to work with him in his building business. He has already turned his life around."