A 21-YEAR-OLD Lye man caught dealing in prescription drugs has been allowed to keep his freedom.

Recorder Gareth Evans QC told Steven Parkes it was a serious offence because he had a previous conviction for supplying Class A drugs.

And he said it was clear his involvement with Class C drugs was "not a one-off supply" but he ruled reports maintained Parkes was now on the verge of putting his life back onto the rails.

Parkes, of Church Road, admitted possessing Class C drugs with intent to supply and he was placed on Supervision for a year at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Nicholas Smith, defending, said Parkes who was further ordered to attend the Drug Rehabilitation Programme, had behaved stupidly.

He said he had responded well to previous court orders and he had now managed to beat off around 100 other applicants to secure employment in a restaurant.

Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, said police officers were questioning a young man when they saw him shake his head in the direction of Parkes who quickly ran off.

He was chased and caught as he was trying erase messages on his mobile relating to drug dealing and when his home was later searched the officers found a quantity of Class C drugs.