A DRUG dealer has admitted selling cannabis to a 14-year-old boy.

Aaron Liam Saunders, 18, of Hill Top Avenue, Tidworth, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class B when he appeared at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Prosecuting, Nick Barr told the court that on November 5, police received information from the public about two men outside Devizes House in Tidworth smoking cannabis.

When officers attended they found Saunders, who matched the description given to the police, on his own and smelling of cannabis.

He was searched by officers who found a quantity of cannabis — 17.7g of “loose cannabis” and 11.9g in individual bags — and a cannabis grinder.

The court heard when he was interviewed he admitted buying cannabis to sell and selling the drug to a 14-year-old boy. Saunders said he would only sell cannabis to people who wanted it.

Mr Barr said it was accepted it was a first offence but selling to children was an “aggravating” feature.

The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions.

Matthew George, defending, said Saunders had been smoking cannabis for two years and had sold it at cost and not for profit. He said it was the defendant’s own operation and was not a commercial business.

“This came as a serious shock to Mr Saunders,” said Mr George.

“He has not smoked cannabis since his arrest and has got full time employment at a store in Amesbury. He was undertaking agency work before that.”

He said Saunders had been keeping “himself to himself ” and put himself on “self lock down” where he was not going out or seeing anybody.

Mr George added: “He wants to put the whole episode behind him.”

The case has been adjourned until December 18 for reports to be prepared and Saunders is on unconditional bail.