A DRUG dealer has been jailed after being caught attempting to coerce an underage girl into sex in exchange for cannabis.

Callum Phillips, 19, of Ilminster Close appeared at Cardiff Crown Court this week (Monday, November 9) after pleading guilty to charges of supplying cannabis and trying to engage a child in sexual activity.

Between May and July this year Phillips, who was 18 at the time, had been in contact with a 14-year-old girl via social media.

Part time barman Phillips, who the court heard also supplied cannabis to his social circle as a means of funding his own habit, began asking the girl if she was interested in having sex with him.

The girl told Phillips, who has a fiancee of three and half years, no saying "you have a missus" and "you're asking a 14-year-old for sex". In a later message, recovered by police, the girl had asked Phillips if she could have some cannabis "on tick" - meaning she would pay at a later date - and instead he offered that she could pay in sexual favours.

When the messages came to light Phillips was arrested and pleaded guilty to all charges.

Defending Phillips, Adam Sharpe told the court that he was a "naive and immature" young man whose excessive cannabis use had contributed to his behaviour.

Judge Phillip Harris-Jenkins told Phillips: "Cannabis is a central theme here. You made a concentrated effort to provide the victim with cannabis in exchange for oral sex and full sex.

"This was part of the grooming process and this deeply unpleasant bartering took place via a number of messages on her Facebook account.

"There is no doubt that the victim was young and vulnerable and you were prepared to take advantage of her. No meeting took place, which is fortunate for you."

Phillips became visibly upset in the dock as Judge Harris-Jenkins sentenced him to eight months for the sexual offences and four months consecutive for the charge of supplying cannabis for a total of 12 months, to be spent in a young offenders institute.

Phillips was also issued with a restraining order and a sexual prevention order for five years.