A CLUBBER who sold ecstasy to pals during nights out has been spared jail because the prisons are too full.

Michael Minto could have faced years behind bars after being caught with a stash of 34 of the deadly pills at Blue Bamboo in Sunderland on March 19.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how club staff had overheard Minto asking another customer if he wanted some 'cowies' - slang from the class a drug - and the police were called.

Minto was arrested and confessed he funded his own habit by selling the pills to friends.

The court heard how ordinarily, dealing class a drugs in a pub or club would inevitably lead to a custodial sentence.

But Judge Tony Lancaster told the 24-year-old: "At the minute prisons are full and we are reminded constantly by the Court of Appeal not to sentence people to prison where crowded conditions make matters worse for everyone and causes problems for those who really ought to be there and constitute a serious risk to the community.

"There just aren't enough places to put everybody and what one has to ask oneself in cases such as yours is it really necessary to send you to prison right away."

Judge Lancaster said, because of Minto's previous good character and his assessment by the probation service as being a low risk of re-offending, the prison sentence could be suspended.

Minto was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months with a community order.

The judge said: "You are, otherwise, an ordinary, decent young man who has got this unfortunate habit on a weekend."

Defence barrister Mark Styles told the court how Minto had not realised the seriousness of what he had been doing and now stays away from the club scene.

Judge Lancaster warned: "Ecstasy tablets can have disasterous consequences to people who take them."

Minto, of Pennymore Square, Pennywell, Sunderland, had admitted possessing a Class A drug with intent.