Mason Loveridge, who his own defence barrister conceded was "not a criminal mastermind", was arrested after police executed a warrant at an address in King's Lynn.

Norwich Crown Court heard the 19-year-old was found at the address along with a small amount of cannabis, some scales and his mobile phone.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Ian James, prosecuting, said after he was arrested, Loveridge told police he was not working at the time but denied being involved in the supply of cannabis.

(function (d, s, n) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; js = d.createElement(s); js.className = n; js.src = "//player.ex.co/player/9eb68dce-e5e3-40c3-a31b-12479fdb5350"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); js.setAttribute('programmatic', 'true'); js.onload = function () { const playerApi238181 = ExCoPlayer.connect('9eb68dce-e5e3-40c3-a31b-12479fdb5350'); playerApi238181.init({ "autoPlay": false, "mute": true, "showAds": true, "playbackMode": "play-in-view", "content": { "playFirst": [ { "title": "What Happens When You're Arrested?", "src": "https://large-cdn.ex.co/transformations/production/f055baaa-8e2e-4286-91b5-a76801914800/720p.mp4" } ], "playlistId": "649d6b165f10d8001259835d" }, "sticky": { "mode": "persistent", "closeButton": true, "pauseOnClose": true, "desktop": { "enabled": false, "position": "bottom-right" }, "mobile": { "enabled": false, "position": "upper-small" } } }); }; }(document, 'script', 'exco-player'));

But after police examined his phone - which Loveridge provided the PIN code for - messages were discovered which showed Loveridge had been involved in the supply of cannabis.

The court heard in some messages Loveridge was named by those seeking to be supplied with drugs between August 19 and September 6, 2024.

Loveridge, formerly of Pleasant Court, Lynn, but who is now staying at an address in Mildenhall, appeared at court on Friday (March 6) after admitting being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Mason Loveridge (Image: Facebook)

Will Carter, mitigating. said Loveridge was "very young" and told the court "you're not dealing with a criminal mastermind".

He said in a number of the messages seen by police on his phone Loveridge is referred to by name with one of them even wishing him a happy birthday.

But Mr Carter said Loveridge, who was barely literate, did not take cannabis anymore.

He said the defendant had moved out of Lynn and in with the parents of his partner who was expecting their baby in April.

In imposing a 12-month community order recorder Nicola Fitches said she had taken into account Loveridge's age, lack of previous offending and admissions.

Loveridge was also ordered to carry out up to 10 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) and 80 hours unpaid work.

© Eastern Daily Press