A Cheshire teenager caught with thousands of pounds-worth of crack cocaine in his hotel room has been jailed.

Robert Lingham, 18, was found with 'several hundred' individual wraps of the class A drug in his room at a hotel on James Street in Liverpool, as well as a small quantity cannabis.

He has now been locked up for two years and seven months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs; and possession of a class B drug.

Lingham, from Halton Brook, Runcorn, was arrested for an unconnected matter by members of the local policing unit on the morning on Wednesday, September 11.

After he had been apprehended, his hotel room was searched.

Lingham was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

Lingham denied knowing anything about the drugs found in the room.

Read more of today's top stories

But at Liverpool Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to the charges.

As he was jailed, he was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

Following sentencing, Detective Sergeant Rob McLoughlin, of Runcorn LPU’s Beat Initiative Team, said: “Thousands of pounds worth of individual wraps of crack cocaine were found in Robert Lingham’s hotel room and he subsequently admitted to possessing them with intent to supply the class A drugs to others.

Cheshire Constabulary Police say they hope Lingham uses his time behind bars to 'reflect on the life he has been leading'

“Class A drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on our communities.

“They cause widespread misery and removing those involved in drug dealing from our communities is of paramount importance.

“I hope that this case reaffirms the message that drug dealing will not be tolerated by Cheshire Constabulary and that the case deters others from getting involved in the supply of illegal drugs.

“I also hope that Lingham, who is only 18, uses his time behind bars to reflect on the life he has been leading and changes his ways.”

Residents are urged to report any suspicions of drug dealing by calling Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.