A TEENAGER who tried to smuggle pills into Creamfields in return for a weekend ticket has been spared a jail sentence.

Gary Bellis, aged 19, was collared by police when attempting to enter the dance music festival on August 25, last year.

He was found to have three condoms containing 49 pills he believed to be ecstasy concealed on his person.

Later tests found that the tablets did not contain any controlled substances.

Andrew McInnes, prosecuting, said that if sold as ecstasy they would have been worth up to £980.

The court heard how on August 23, Bellis was with three friends when they met with a drug dealer in Liverpool.

He offered them a ticket in return for acting as mules to carry ‘ecstasy’ pills into the festival.

William Beardmore, defending, said Bellis does not have ‘a strong character’ and agreed as he was in fear of the dealer.

“There was pressure put on him by the person he knew to be a drug dealer, who had a reputation for violent behaviour, and his friends, and pressure from himself because his friends were doing it, so he agreed.

“He voluntarily secreted the drugs but was in that position because others had put pressure on him.

“He was unsure of what the consequences would be if he withdrew his consent at any point.”

Bellis, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to attempting to possess class A drugs with intent to supply.

Recorder Mukhtar Hussain QC sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He said: “You are still only 19 years of age.

“The offence you committed is no doubt a serious one.

“You clearly show remorse and you are not a very strong character.

“There is now a prospect for a full time job.

“In these circumstances, I am able to suspend the sentence.”