A 17-YEAR-OLD youth was caught with cocaine by security staff in the lavatory of a Darlington nightclub, the town's youth court heard yesterday.

The youth and a friend had gone into the cubicle at the Mardis Gras nightclub before being quizzed by staff.

Bill Brabban, prosecuting, said the youth voluntarily handed over a bag containing 750 milligrammes of the Class A drug.

Laura Saunders-Jerrom, for the teenager, said her client had found the drugs in his bedroom after friends stayed the night.

She told the court the youth had put the bag of cocaine in his pocket to dispose of, but later forgot.

"He met up with his mates at the Mardis Gras. He still had the drugs in his pocket and thought at the time it would be a clever idea to try it," she said.

The teenager, who is training at college and wants to join the Army, was sentenced to a four-month referral order and ordered to pay £35 costs.

Chairman of the magistrates' bench Harry Fletcher said: "To have even contemplated taking drugs, you could have ruined your career. Not only that, you could have ruined your life."

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.