Wolverhampton man, 18, stopped with machete, crack and heroin

Officers had been told that three people armed with knives were in Stafford Road, Bushbury, near the city's Science Park but Hardlife Gomo was the only person there when they reached the scene, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

"He was asked if he had a knife and indicated a machete in his waist band," explained Miss Fiona Cortese, prosecuting.

A body search revealed he also had 53 street deals of crack and 45 of heroin while his phone contained messages consistent with drug dealing.

Gomo, of Glentworth Gardens, Whitmore Reans, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply on the basis, accepted by the prosecution, that he had only been involved for six weeks providing a link in the chain between those who provided the drugs and the street dealers.

He said he waited for a call telling him where to go to make the collection. These came once a week on average and he was paid £30 a time for the service.

Mr Harpreet Sandhu, defending, said: "He was performing a relatively limited function, only gained modest financial reward and had only been involved for a matter of weeks.

Gomo, who has started a degree course with the Open University and had no previous convictions, also admitted possession of a bladed article.

He was given two years detention in a Young Offenders Institution suspended for 18 months with 150 hours unpaid work and £300 costs.

Judge Michael Challinor told him: "You are an intelligent young man starting out in life and I am going to give you a chance to break away from crime, get your degree and make something of your life."