POLICE dealing with youths at Dunfermline Bus Station cut short birthday celebrations for one West Fife teenager.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been celebrating his 17th birthday and had bought ecstasy tablets for himself and his friends.

Officers had intelligence that he was dealing ecstasy tablets and stopped him at Dunfermline Bus Station.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, he had earlier admitted that on February 11 at Dunfermline Police Station, he was in possession of the class A drug with intent to supply.

Depute fiscal Alex Piper said police officers attended at Dunfermline Bus Station to disperse a number of teenagers, some of whom appeared intoxicated and encountered the accused.

The youth was detained and asked if he had any illicit substances on him and he admitted having ecstasy tablets. A search found a bag containing 23 tablets and a wallet containing £310 cash.

When interviewed by police, he said he had bought tablets for him and his friends.

Defence agent Sarah Meehan said her client appeared as a first offender but appreciated a custodial sentence would be “at the forefront” of the court’s mind.

“The date libelled was his birthday,” she said. “He had a discussion with two of his friends whereby it was agreed they would purchase the tablets. 

“He was nominated as the person who would go and collect the tablets. He took money from one of his friends to pay the individual for the tablets and then he would distribute them to his group of friends.

“He appreciates in light of that explanation, he falls foul of legislation and, on that basis, the plea was made.”

She said the cash found on the teenager was not proceeds of drug-dealing but money given to him as birthday gifts earlier in the day.

“Although it is a serious matter, it is perhaps at the lower end of the scale in terms of charges that can come before the court,” she added. 

“Due to naivety, he appears to have reached an agreement with friends whereby he would be the one that would go to collect the drugs.

"Clearly now, he appreciates that was wrong and he is now a 17-year-old man who has a conviction for a very serious matter.”

Sheriff Craig McSherry placed the teenager on a community payback order with the requirement for 12 months’ supervision. He also ordered him to do 160 hours of unpaid work within six months.