A TEENAGER caught close to a children's playground planning to deal drugs, has been given the chance to "spend Christmas with family" if he promises to turn his life around.

Lewis Finch, of St Martins Road in Rose Hill, Oxford, was due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court last Thursday after admitting possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was caught by police officers on June 20, 2016, shortly before 3pm in Holm Square, Bicester, with a number of drugs, including crack cocaine and heroine totalling a street value of more than £200.

He was also later found to have stashed a mobile phone and another £410 in his boxers.

But when the 18-year-old stood before judge Peter Ross at Oxford Crown Court he was given a second chance to prove himself.

Judge Ross said: "I am going to defer sentencing in your case until December 22 with the condition that you will be under the supervision of the rehabilitation service, you will live where they decide and you will be subject to drug rehabilitation testing weekly .

"You will also neither posses nor consume any unlawful drugs.

"You will get a job and will not offend."

Mr Finch, who was 17 years-old at the time of the offence is charged with two counts of possessing a controlled drug of class A with intent to supply, one count of possessing a controlled drug of class B and one count acquiring, using, possessing criminal property relating to the £410 believed to be from 'street dealing'.

He was also found with two mobile phones, one which police found contained advertising texts from him to a group of more than 30 contacts.

Mr Finch's sentencing was deferred on Thursday until Friday, December 22, when he will return before judge Ross at Oxford Crown Court.

Judge Ross added: "If you comply with these conditions you will spend Christmas with your family.

"If you don't, you will spend Christmas behind bars."