A teenage dad-to-be has been given an early "present"... the chance to be at the birth of his child in January.

Luke Begg, of Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, was facing the prospect of a sentence in youth custody for possessing and dealing cocaine and cannabis.

The 19-year-old was told by a judge at Canterbury Crown Court: "You have an appalling record for someone so young."

But his barrister Peter Forbes said the prospect of becoming a dad next year had been motivation for Begg to change his life.

And instead of being sent to prison, Begg – who had been nabbed on several occasions in possession of both class A and class B drugs dealing on the streets of Folkestone – was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.

His heavily-pregnant teenage lover sat in the public gallery as the defence barrister told the judge: "He would like to thank you for giving him this opportunity.

"He understands full well what is the likely course when people are before the court for possession with intent to supply class A drugs."

Begg's previous convictions include criminal damage, violence, offences relating to motor vehicles and possession of a bladed article.

Mr Forbes told the court: "This defendant is to become a father in January next year and that seems to have been a significant motivation for him to change his life."

Judge Nigel Van Der Bijl ordered the teenager to attend drugs rehabilitation courses for six months and do 150 hours of unpaid work for the community.

He said: "One of the reasons I am not sending you to prison immediately is that you didn't have convictions for drugs before... but you now do.

"Very rarely are those guilty of possessing class A drugs with intent not sent straight to prison. But I am told that a change has come over you, assisted by your girlfriend. She needs you and that's an important factor."