A SHOPPER alerted police after spotting what appeared to be drug dealing in a Dorset town centre in broad daylight, a court heard.

Sam Johnson, 21, of Willowdene Close, New Milton, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, supplying cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to supply at Dorchester Crown Court.

Prosecuting, Carolyn Branford-Wood told the court that Johnson had been in Weymouth with friends on September 14 last year when the group stopped near St Nicholas Street.

She said: “A member of the public alerted police when she saw a man who seemed to have a small plastic bag with white powder.

“She says the man acted in a way that raised her suspicions that he was dealing drugs.”

Minutes later, police officers arrested and searched the defendant in New Bond Street and discovered bags containing white powder in his socks.

Herbal cannabis was found in a subsequent search of Johnson’s home.

In mitigation, Jamie Porter said Johnson had admitted the charges on the basis that he had given the cocaine to a friend who had asked for drugs.

Mr Porter said that no cash transaction had taken place.

He added: “He got himself into a complete mess but he has now extricated himself from that.”

Judge Roger Jarvis sentenced him to a community order with a requirement to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

The work is to be completed in part at an employment and education unit.