A careless drug dealer was caught selling ecstasy at a Dartmoor rock festival after security staff found his lost phone.

Jordan Barnes Barrett dropped the phone at the Chagstock Festival at Chagford last summer and organisers found incriminating texts when they were trying to find out who owned it.

Security men followed Barnes Barrett and called police when they suspected he was selling drugs. More texts were found which showed he had been dealing in cannabis and ecstasy.

He arranged to meet one customer outside the gates of a college in one of the messages, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Barnes Barrett, aged 20 of Crossways, South Tawton, near Okehampton, admitted 11 offences of supplying ecstasy (MDMA) or cannabis. He was jailed for two years, suspended for 18 months, ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid community work and 20 days’ rehabilitation by Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC.

He told him: ’This is a very important stage in your young life. It is an opportunity to turn your life around. I am told you want help and are prepared to accept it. I hope that’s true.’

Mr William Hunter, prosecuting, said police were called to the Chagstock Festival at Whiddon Down, on July 23 last year after being alerted by security staff.

He said: ’The staff were handed a Nokia phone in the early hours and noticed it was rung almost immediately by the defendant from another phone.

’He arranged to collect it and in the meantime the security guards noticed phone messages relating to drug dealing, including one saying "three for £10".

’He was seen with several people who had clearly taken MDMA. He was searched and handed over two wraps. He was found with a total of 4.19 grams worth £180 and with £85.17 cash.

’The mobile phone was analysed and showed he was buying and selling drugs including MDMA and cannabis. It is clear he was buying MDMA in ounces, which would have cost hundreds of pounds.

’Texts showed he had attended a number of raves and was also dealing with a significant number of individuals. There is evidence of an arrangement to supply drugs outside the gates of a college, but we don’t know what sort of college it was.

Mr Peter Coombe, defending, said the probation service and the addiction service Rise were willing to work with Barnes Barrett to tackle his drug use.

He said his client was only 19 when he committed the offences which arose from immaturity and his own use of drugs, which he has already started addressing. He wants to go to college and train as a plumber.