POLICE recovered 125 Ecstasy tablets after keeping watch on a bag left suspiciously beside a public footpath.

Durham Crown Court heard that officers received a tip-off about the bag and its contents, which had been left in Moorside, near Consett, County Durham.

Philip Renwick, 18, was seen picking up the bag and walking to a nearby shop, where he gave it to Clifton Hind.

Police intervened and recovered the bag, containing 93 Ecstasy pills, and found a further 32 pills nearby.

While officers struggled to detain Hind, Renwick fled from the police vehicle.

Renwick, of Thomas Street, Blackhill, Consett, admitted possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, and escape. Hind, 22, of Pleasant View, Consett, admitted possession of Ecstasy and resisting arrest.

Renwick was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months and sentence on Hind was deferred until March.