TWO teenage drug dealers were spared jail by a recorder who said he had “seldom seen two more stupid young men”.

Dominic Dyce, of Burwell Drive, Witney, and Andrew Hale, of Lowell Place, Witney, were sentenced yesterday after being caught with cannabis on April 23 last year.

Both 19-year-olds pleaded guilty in November at Oxford Crown Court to possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

Passing sentence yesterday, Recorder Nicholas Syfret QC said he hoped appearing at the crown court had shocked them into changing their ways.

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Hale had never been in trouble before, but Dyce, who was in tears while sentence was passed, has a previous conviction for the same offence.

Mr Syfret told them: “I have seldom seen two more stupid young men than you two.

“Involvement in cannabis is one of the most destructive things you can do at this stage in your lives.

“You have both now lost your good character, and that will follow you for the rest of your lives.”

But he thought the offences showed “folly” rather than a propensity for real criminal behaviour.

Dyce was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with six months of supervision, 160 hours of unpaid work and a £100 victims’ surcharge.

Hale got a community order with six months supervision, 160 hours of unpaid work and a £60 victims’ surcharge.

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