A FORMER Romsey schoolboy who was caught dealing cannabis has been urged not to ruin his life by a crown court judge.

Ex-The Mountbatten School pupil Leyton Hookway was found with 15 grams of cannabis when officers stopped him in his Vauxhall Corsa in September last year.

The 19-year-old also had weighing scales, and £160 cash.

Police also uncovered an iPhone which had texts suggesting he was dealing the class-B drug.

Hookway pleaded guilty to one count of possession of cannabis with intent to supply when he appeared at Southampton Crown Court.

However, in mitigation the court heard how Hookway had accepted a guilty plea on the basis that the cannabis was not his and he was instead given it by a friend.

He said the scales were for his own personal use, to stop him being “ripped off by his own dealer”,

The court was also told that the money was recently taken from a cash machine and was intended to be given to his mother and grand-mother.

During his sentencing at Southampton Crown Court, Judge Peter Henry urged Hookway to steer clear of drugs.

He told the teenager: “You must get yourself off drugs.

“You’ve got your whole life ahead of you, don’t ruin it.”

Judge Henry handed Hookway, of Launcelyn Close, North Baddersley, a six month prison sentence, which he suspended for 18 months.

Hookway must also complete 20 days of rehabilitation, as well as 21 hours at an attendance centre.

Judge Henry also ordered the drugs be forfeited and destroyed.