A MAN supplied what he thought was ecstasy to his partner and a friend within months of being freed from jail for dealing the drug.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Gary Sowerbutts, 24, had taken ecstasy costing £120 "recreationally” at weekends.

Even after a two-year prison sentence he had not seen the error of his ways and did not even know why he had been sent down.

Forensic tests revealed the drugs were not ecstasy and the defendant had no idea what the consequences of people taking it might have been.

Sowerbutts was spared jail, but a judge said she would recommend he take drug tests while under the supervision of the probation service and added she hoped his family would encourage it.

Sowerbutts, of Burton Street, Rishton, had admitted attempted possession of 74 ecstasy tablets with intent to supply and attempting to supply two tablets.

He was given 52 weeks in jail, suspended for two years, with 18 months supervision and 160 hours unpaid work.

Adrian Williams, defending, said Sowerbutts had now stopped recreational drugs use. He was ashamed he went back to it after his release.

“The defendant feels he has now turned his life around.”