editorial comment economics 101, mr Magistrate. Many some judges should indeed go back to the school bench....

THE danger drug ecstasy is now cheaper to buy in Whitehaven than many alcoholic drinks, a shocked court has heard.

The street value of the Class A drug has plummeted to an EIGHTH of its value from a year ago.

The revelation was made during the outline of a case involving Whitehaven man John Carr on Tuesday.

Carr, of Devon Road, admitted possessing 17 ecstasy tablets, which prosecutor Cath McClenan said were worth no more than £34.

Carr’s solicitor Val Hendren said: “It surprised me to learn just how cheap ecstasy is. As recently as 12 months ago, it was selling for £15 to £16. Now they are £2 a tablet.

“In many clubs, that makes them cheaper than alcohol.

“As far as young people are concerned, this is a very worrying trend.”

Carr, 23, was fined £180 with £43 costs after also admitting the possession of cannabis resin. He asked for another offence – the cultivation of a cannabis plant – to be taken into consideration. He insisted all the drugs were for his own use.

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