A TEENAGE dealer who made up to £350 a day has been jailed after being caught with drugs in his underwear.

Alexander North was found with more than £2,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis on him when he was searched by officers in January.

The 18-year-old was also found in possession of a knuckle-duster.

He was sentenced to 28 months in prison at Southampton Crown Court.

The court heard that North had “grown used to the drug-dealing lifestyle” and made up to £350 a day in dealing.

Prosecuting, Siobhan Linsley told the court that officers were tipped off about North by a member of the public who heard him and a group of friends talking about drugs.

Officers found the group’s BMW in Pound Lane, Romsey and Miss Linsley said when officers opened the car’s door it “smelt strongly of cannabis” and the occupants had “very dilated pupils”.

She said: “When the police advised they would search the car, the defendant became very agitated and attempted to move stuff down the side of the car.”

Ms Linsley added: “He was very candid in his report as he said that he had been dealing for five months before being caught and that he was 17 years old when he started.

“He was making between £50 and £350-a-day and had the knuckle duster for protection.”

The court heard North had drugs tapped inside his underwear and found to have 37g of cocaine, with a street value of £1,900, and 45g of skunk, valued at £450, upon his person. He also had £187 in cash on him.

Mitigating, Charles Gabb said that as his client had struggled to fit in at school, drug dealing was perhaps his way of “trying to find some sort of place to fit in”.

Mr Gabb added: “You can only hope he did not realise the extent of what he has done.”

In sentencing, Judge Peter Henry told the court North’s “significant role” was “vile and dangerous”.

He said: “His actions does not show a naive person, but shows a person who recognises the situation and exploits the situation to enjoy the lifestyle of dealing.”

Judge Henry added: “You knew that there was a lot of money from drugs and you took advantage of this.”

North, of Redlands Drive, Romsey, will serve at least half of his sentence before he is released.