A teenager was 'exploited' into dealing cannabis in Piccadilly Gardens by sophisticated criminals, a judge was told.
Ahmed Rafique, 19, was selling the class B drug by CCTV operators, on a Sunday night in the busy city centre hub.
When police went to arrest him, they found he had two snap bags of cannabis stashed in his boxer shorts.
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"There is cogent evidence of Mr Rafique being exploited by others more criminally sophisticated than him," Rafique's barrister Brendan O'Leary told Manchester Crown Court.
"He says he has been threatened while in custody."
He said that Rafique's mental health issues and drug problem made him 'prone to be exploited', and left him committing crime to try and pay off debts.
Rafique, from Salford, was stopped by police at about 7pm on August 15 last year, after being observed on CCTV.
About two months later, he was at Cornbrook Metrolink station when officers were checking tickets.
Rafique's eyes were 'glazed' and he smelt of cannabis. Officers discovered he had seven snap bags of cannabis and £76.
Prosecuting, Roger Brown said Rafique has several previous convictions, including being fined for possessing cannabis.
Mr O'Leary said that Rafique had been 'working well' in the community with support agencies before he was remanded in custody about three months ago.
He appealed for Rafique to be released from prison so he could undergo rehabilitation work.
"This is serious, you have reached the end of the line," the judge, Recorder Graham Wells told him.
"Next time, you will be inside for much longer. I have given you a chance, Mr Rafique, a last chance. Please make sure there isn't a next time, and you learn your lesson.
"Dealing in cannabis in Piccadilly Gardens and then possessing it later on the Metrolink station shows you don't really appreciate how many chances you have been given.
"It doesn't really matter that people are threatening you. There is a simple answer to that, get help for it, tell the police about it. It is not really very good mitigation.
"But in your case it I take it that you have been acting under directions and this is a lesser role case. You got money from it, maybe not a lot of money but some money."
Rafique, of Meadowgate Road, Salford, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing cannabis and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property.
He is due to be released from prison after being sentenced to a two year month community order, to include a six month drug rehabilitation program, 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
