A man suspected of stealing a motorbike revealed he was a drug dealer through text messages seen by police after he handed over his mobile to show he had bought the bike legitimately.

Mitchell Wilson, 23, was told he was 'no Professor Moriarty' by Judge Andrew Shaw, after he was stopped police pushing the motocross bike in South Quay, Great Yarmouth when he was approached by police who thought the bike might be stolen.

Norwich Crown Court heard Wilson got out his phone and gave it to police "to show he had purchased it by legitimate means" but "unfortunately for him his phone contained other messages relating to the supply of class A drugs".

Norwich Evening News: Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)Jude Durr, prosecuting, said the arrest in January 24 last year came after he had been "released under investigation after his arrest in the early part of 2022".

That was after he was a passenger on a stolen motorbike and was arrested by police who found messages relating to the supply of cannabis.

Wilson, of Southtown Road, Yarmouth, appeared at court on Wednesday having admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and two offences of the supplying cannabis.

Judge Shaw said of the defendant "You're no Professor Moriarty", making reference to the criminal mastermind created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and arch enemy of Sherlock Holmes.

Norwich Evening News: Judge Andrew ShawJudge Andrew Shaw (Image: Newsquest)He said the fact Wilson handed over his phone containing drug dealing messages to prove to police he had bought the bike was a sign of a lack of criminal intellect and sophistication.

Imposing a three-year community order Judge Shaw wanted Wilson to access help from probation to help rehabilitate him and stop him reoffending.

But he warned Wilson: "If I see you again because you've breached this order I will send you to prison and I will send you to prison for years."

John Morgans, mitigating, said the defendant had "limitations" and said it was "quite extraordinary that in trying to prove he owned a motorbike he handed over a phone which has these messages".

He said it was "indicative of his lack of sophistication".

Wilson was also given a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement, 200 hours unpaid work and a six-month trail monitoring requirement meaning he has to wear a GPS tag which identifies where he goes.