A TEENAGER was caught buying £90 worth of cocaine with money he obtained through a benefit to support him during an apprenticeship.

The 17-year-old from Ayr, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted his drug venture was a “stupid idea” when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court on Tuesday, June 4.

Depute Fiscal Ed Sheeran told the court a quantity of 2.3 grams of cocaine was confiscated by police when he was caught.

The teenager bought the Class A substance with a friend who was with him at the time, the court heard.

Defending the accused, his solicitor Mr Colin Adam said: “He’s 17 years of age, a single man, residing with his grandmother, and was receiving money from a programme through an apprenticeship.

“It appears at this stage it’s his gran’s financial responsibility to support him.”

“Having discussed this matter with him, he and a friend purchased the same amount of this drug. He tells me this was a stupid experiment and won’t be repeated in future.”

With the accused lack of income, Sheriff John Montgomery said: “I do wonder where he got the £90 from.”

The 17-year-old replied: “It was from the payment I was getting.”

Sheriff Montgomery told him: “But it was only a very limited payment” to which he replied: “I know that, it was a stupid idea.”

The court deferred sentenced on the accused to be of good behaviour until December 6 and he was ordained to appear then.