A student from West Sussex who went to a nightclub carrying 34-and-a-half ecstasy tablets told police the pills were for his own use, a court heard.

William Rankin, 18, of Sandy Lane, Henfield, admitted possessing the drugs at a club in Kings Road Arches, Brighton, in October last year when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court.

The court heard Rankin, who has no previous convictions, was arrested after police were called by security staff.

Nigel Weller, defending, said: "The police were satisfied these drugs were for personal use only. He purchased such a large quantity because of economy. It was an unfortunate period of experimentation for this young man. He does not use drugs any more."

Rankin, who is studying media technology and works part-time as a DJ, was sentenced to a 120-hour community punishment order and was also ordered to pay £118 costs.