A TEENAGER who planned to supply part of an ecstasy haul to friends is behind bars for two years.

Night watchman Aaron Newton, 19, had never been in trouble before - but a judge said she had to send him to jail as a warning to him and to others.

Judge Beverley Lunt told the defendant, who was said to have bought 111 tablets of the Class A drug with two friends, that ecstasy was a dangerous and prevalent drug and the courts had a duty to send out a message to those tempted to behave as he did.

Newton, of Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle, admitted possessing ecstasy with intent to supply.

Aftab Kharwar, prosecuting, told the court at about 1.20am in March, police were called to a disturbance at the Golden Cross pub, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

Officers went to the back of the premises and saw three men. On seeing the police, one man ran off, one walked away and the defendant also walked off. He was seen to throw away a small package. Police searched the area and found 111 ecstasy tablets. The defendant was arrested , taken to the police station and interviewed.

Martin Hackett, defending, said Newton knew he was in a serious position and could not argue if he was sent to jail.

The defendant had bought the drugs for between £80 and £90 with two other men at the back of the pub. They would have taken some of the tablets themselves and then some would have been sold to a small circle of friends. Newton had no previous convictions.