A MAN jailed for buying more than 50 ecstasy tablets for his friends has been freed at the Court of Appeal.

Neil Wallace, of Hastings Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty in May 2001 to possession of ecstasy with intent to supply and possession of amphetamine and cannabis.

A month later he said goodbye to his long-term girlfriend and their 16-month-old baby when he was given a two-year jail term.

But today three top judges ruled his sentence was "manifestly excessive" and cut it to a year, effectively releasing him from prison because of time off for good behaviour.

Mr Justice Nelson, who heard the case with Lord Justice Burton and Mr Justice Aikens, said the offence was clearly one that deserved a custodial sentence, but not one of two years.

"We have concluded that the sentence was manifestly excessive because of Wallace's plea of guilty, the co-operation he gave to the police and the fact that there was no profit involved," he said.

The judge told the court how 35-year-old Wallace was stopped by police two days before Christmas, 2000.

They searched him on the spot and found two ecstasy tablets and when they took him back to the station and stripped him they found another 51 tablets with a street value of between £265 and £530.

Some time later officers searched his house and found small amounts of cannabis and amphetamines.

Wallace explained to police that he had brought the ecstasy on the instructions of his friends.

They all chipped in to buy the drug and planned to take it before going out clubbing.

He added that the cannabis and amphetamines were for his own personal use.

Mr Justice Nelson said Wallace had six previous convictions, although none of them were drug related.