A drug dealer with the same name as wizarding legend Harry Potter has been temporarily locked up after he admitted dealing POT. 

Potter, 19, had been selling cannabis to around 20 pals on York College campus "because he struggled to find a part time job and was easy money". 

However, York Crown Court heard today how officers detected the whiff of the drug on him after he was pulled over at 4pm on January 19. 

Potter, of Acaster Malbis, North Yorks., was on his moped when he was stopped close to the city centre and was found with three wraps of cannabis and £70. 

Former engineering student Potter was remanded in custody after sentencing was adjourned for 24 hours. 

Prosecutor Rob Galley told the court: "The defendant was stopped by police in a random stop check and the officer could smell cannabis. 

"He [Potter] then did not reply to questions after being found with about £30 pounds worth of cannabis. 

"But when his phone was searched he had text messages about buying drugs including the brand Afghan Radar. 

"In interview the defendant says he dealt cannabis because he was struggling to find a part time job and was easy money." 

Defending Potter, Neil Cutte said: "The defendant is a polite and respectable young man and was not fully aware of what he was doing. 

"Due to his name he has been heckled in the street on two occasions because of press interest in this case." 

Potter had pleaded guilty to dealing Class B drug cannabis at an earlier hearing at York Magistrates' Court. 

Mr Cutte said Potter had not touched cannabis since his arrest. 

Sentencing judge Recorder of York Judge Paul Batty, QC, decided to adjourn sentencing until tomorrow. 

He told Potter he would need to think about the appropriate sentence for him over night and remanded the defendant in custody. 

Judge Batty said: "Dealing on college premises is a very serious matter. 

"I have looked at the guidelines and that will determine what will follow. 

"But I have decided to sentence you tomorrow morning. You will stay in custody."