A teenager from Laxey has been sentenced to six weeks’ custody for possessing ecstasy.

Dylan Jordan Ritchie is currently living at a secure unit serving a previous sentence and the six weeks will run consecutively to that.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on December 8 at 10.30pm, police stopped the 17-year-old at Marathon Road in Douglas.

He was asked if he had anything he should not have and replied: ’Ecstasy in my left pocket.’

Two bags were found, one containing 17 tablets and the other one tablet.

value

The total value of the drugs was said to be £180.

In police interview Ritchie handed in a prepared statement saying the ecstasy was for personal use.

Defence advocate Jane Gray said that the teenager had been due for release from his current sentence on March 11.

The advocate said: ’He said he had been using drugs since he was 13 on and off, however this had increased since he left home at 16.

’At 16 he was living on his own at a bedsit and didn’t feel the department had supported him.

’He had been offered the drop-in centre and had the opportunity to see a social worker but he did not find that helpful.

’The bottom line is he felt very isolated. By taking pills he used it as a coping mechanism.’

Ms Gray went on to say that Ritchie wanted to work but had difficulties with mental health and drugs, which he needed to sort out first.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told the teenager: ’You do need help, but possessing a class ’A’ drug is a surefire way of heading towards custody.’