A TEENAGER who was pressured into selling drugs by his college friends has been jailed for 14 months.

Ridwan Mohammed was also forced to deal in counterfeit currency after becoming involved in an 'investment scheme' being run by students at Blackburn College, Preston Crown Court heard.

The 19-year-old had offered to provide evidence for the authorities, implicating his co-defendants Zaqir Hussain and Haroon Jamil, the court was told.

Defence counsel Jonathan Turner said his offer of assistance had led to his client being badly beaten in prison and placed on another wing for his own safety.

Mohammed, of Altom Street, Blackburn, who had admitted possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, was given a jail term which allowed for his immediate release. He also had a previous conviction for passing counterfeit currency.

He had pleaded guilty on the basis that he had been in an 'investment scheme' at Blackburn College, but had lost a lot of money, which resulted in him being asked to deal in counterfeit currency and drugs by others, including Hussain.

Judge Andrew Woolman said: "It would seem to me that you will be safer out in the community than in prison."

Waheed Baber, prosecuting, said the case related to an incident where police pulled over a BMW car on Wainwright Bridge, in Blackburn, on October 30, 2017.

Officers found the car doors had been locked and that Haroon Jamil was trying to stuff various items into his mouth, while one of the three shouted 'drive, drive drive'.

Mr Baber said that when police eventually got into the car to make the arrests, Jamil was complaining of stomach pains, having swallowed 20 wraps of drugs.

Mohammed was searched and he had £425 in cash and wraps containing brown powder, which later turned out to be heroin.

Hussain, now 27, of Swan Street, and Jamil, of Notre Dame Gardens, both Blackburn, were jailed for 42 months and 36 months, earlier this year, after pleading guilty to their roles in the drugs supply operation.

Mr Turner said the defendant, who had been studying business and law at the college, "was from a good family" and was ashamed of his actions. His involvement in the case would deter him from any offending in future.