A “naive” teenage cannabis smoker from a good family had repeatedly supplied heroin and crack cocaine at a university city to pay his drugs debt, a court heard.

Thomas Braganca, aged 19, of Glynne Road, Bangor, who had no previous convictions, was locked up for three years at Mold crown court.

Judge Niclas Parry told him: "You have entered the game at Premier League level. Bangor is a university city and its reputation greatly damaged by the availability of Class A drugs.”

He said it was a “staggering aggravating feature” that Braganca offended repeatedly. “It’s clearly indicative of the amount of profit available that such risks were taken,” Judge Parry said.

“I accept there would have been influence from others above you.”

The judge took into account that a custodial sentence would be more onerous during the Covid crisis.

Braganca admitted supplying drugs and possession with intent to supply.

Prosecuting counsel Paulinus Barnes said the nervous teenager had been seen by police in July last year near a hostel in Love Lane, Bangor. Cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin were found worth £570.

Braganca was released by police but in September was spotted selling drugs to another man for £20, in the high street. Then on April 22, again at Bangor, he was one of two men who tried to flee from police in Ffriddoedd Road and placed items in a hedge and wall.

Mr Barnes said £500 had been recovered and cocaine and heroin.

Dafydd Roberts, defending, said there was evidence of exploitation of a naïve youngster. He was from a good family but had smoked cannabis and now faced the consequences of supplying drugs on the streets of Bangor.