A MAN has paid the price for minding white tablets handed to him during a night out in town.

Police saw Brian Dean handling drugs in an alleyway and arrested him.

Preston Crown Court heard that the pills seized turned out to be ecstasy. Dean was given a 12-month jail sentence.

The 22-year-old of Kay Gardens, Burnley, had pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing drugs with intent to supply.

He had admitted the offence, on the basis that he had been handed pills by another male during a night out with friends. He said he had been frightened of that person and therefore agreed to hold them temporarily.

Mr Robert Elias, prosecuting, said it was just after midnight on February 8 that police in Bull Street, Burnley, approached an alleyway near a nightclub.

Mr Philip Holden, defending, said Dean had been out with a friend when he came across the person who had the drugs.

Mr Holden explained Dean had learning difficulties and the offence was towards the bottom end of the scale for its type.