A TEENAGER caught selling what he thought was ecstasy in a Burnley street has kept his freedom.

Apprentice joiner Adam Veitch, 19, was wanting to sell what he thought was the designer drug - but in fact the tablets were a substance called CPP, which was not illegal, but mimicked ecstasy, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Veitch, of Albion Street, Padiham, admitted offering to supply ecstasy and had been committed for sentence by the town's magistrates. He was given a 12 month jail term, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision, 100 hours unpaid work and a 10pm to 6am curfew.

Tim Brennand, prosecuting, told the court a police officer was on patrol on Hargreaves Street, Burnley, after midnight, last November 4.

She saw a group of men huddled together and was suspicious. When she got closer, she saw an unknown male offering the defendant £5.

Veitch put his hand in his pocket and it was obvious some sort of transaction was taking place. He was arrested.

Mr Brennand said the 16 tablets were found to be CPP, which was not a controlled drug, but mimicked the effects of ecstasy.

The prosecutor said: "The tablets were being passed off and offered for sale as ecstasy and that's what the defendant has pleaded guilty to."