A drug dealer has been spared custody by a judge who told him he "wouldn't last five minutes" in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Alfie Wright, 20, appeared for sentencing after he admitted drugs offences following two raids at his Attleborough home.

Norwich Crown Court heard Wright was arrested for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis in August 2023, when he was just 19, and while he was on bail following his arrest for possession with intent to supply cannabis in May 2022.

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest) When Wright, who cleans out poultry sheds for a living, appeared in court on Friday, he was told by Judge Andrew Shaw he "wouldn't last five minutes in a Young Offenders' Institution (YOI)" were he send him to custody.

Judge Andrew ShawJudge Andrew Shaw (Image: Newsquest) Judge Shaw said he had "seen young men like you before" who thought of themselves as "big fish in small ponds", in places like Attleborough.

But he warned: "The sort of young men you would encounter in there would eat you for breakfast, spit you out and eat you again for lunch."

Wright, of Leys Lane, Attleborough, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis on August 24 2023 as well as possession of criminal property, namely cash, on the same date.

He also admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis on May 14, 2022.

In imposing a two year sentence, suspended for two years, Judge Shaw told Wright "people are being murdered because of rows over drugs - this is the life that is heading your way if you don't do something about it".

Richard Paterson, prosecuting, said in the first police raid, in May 2022, cannabis worth £1,456 was found as well as £740 in cash.

In the second raid, in August 2023, more than £2,000 in cash was found alongside "drug-related items" as well as phones and pots containing remains of cannabis.

Ian James, mitigating, said he was a "decent lad" with no previous convictions who had made a "big mistake".

Wright was also made the subject of an electronically monitored six-month curfew meaning he had to remain at home between 7pm and 4.30am.

He must also do 100 hours unpaid work and 10 days rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR).