A student has been locked up after he was caught with heroin and cocaine ready for dealing at Mid-Kent College.

Kwame Dayes was rumbled when other students complained to staff that he reeked of cannabis.

After the police were called, the teenager passed a bag containing his stash to another teenager.

Imposing two years and eight months youth custody, a judge told Dayes, of Beacon Road, Chatham: “It is a great tragedy to see you standing there now having to be sentenced for such criminal offences.

“Anyone who gets involved in dealing in Class A drugs for profit like you did commits a very serious offence indeed.

“It is considered so serious because of the blight drugs cause to society.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard after Dayes, 19, came under suspicion at the college in Gillingham, he refused to be searched by security officers.

Before the police arrived, he called the other youngster and passed him the bag containing 52 wraps of heroin, 53 of cocaine and £200 cash. He also had a quantity of cannabis.

Hidden in his sock was a lock knife with the blade in the open position.

Judge David Griffith-Jones said Dayes’ original claim he was just minding the bag for a stranger in return for a £50 payment was “manifestly absurd”.

“You accept now, belatedly, you were indeed dealing in Class A drugs for profit, and I sentence you on that basis,” he said.

“You were in effect street dealing to users.

“Given the quantities of Class A drugs you were holding you would have had some awareness and understanding of the operation in which you were involved.”

Dayes admitted two offences of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and possessing cannabis and a blade.

The judge said the offences were aggravated by being committed at a college and the involvement of another teenager.

“You had only just turned 18. I am prepared to accept you were somewhat immature.

“It may be said you are vulnerable and will be vulnerable in a custodial setting.”

There were numerous “very impressive” testimonials, some of which suggested he could not possible have committed the offences.

However, Judge Griffith-Jones added: “A sentence of immediate custody is demanded. Nothing less will do.

“It must be a sentence of significant length but I keep it as short as I feel I properly can in the light of all the circumstances.”

Five months of a tagged curfew will count towards the sentence.