AN Alresford teenager has narrowly avoided custody after admitting possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Tom Higgs, 18, of Jesty Road, was caught on August 14 with the drug, a court heard.

Magistrates at Basingstoke sentenced him to 26 weeks in a young offenders' institution, suspended for 12 months.

The court said it was a serious offence as Higgs had made a deliberate decision to deal for financial gain.

Higgs, a former pupil of Perins school, was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and to pay an £80 victim surcharge, £85 costs and a £180 criminal courts charge.