A MAN who ordered ecstasy online was caught after the package was intercepted by Customs officials on arrival in this country.

Durham Crown Court heard that Connor Southward bulk ordered the class A drug from an address in Amsterdam.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said although he gave his own address, in Peterlee, County Durham, he used a false name.

Following the seizure of the package, Durham Police were informed by Customs officials at Heathrow Airport.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said Southward was arrested and told police he “loved” ecstasy.

But he said he only ordered 50 tablets for £150, despite the package containing 200 ecstasy pills.

The 22-year-old, of Braithwaite Road, admitted fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of a class A drug.

Rod Hunt, for Southward, told the court he was “adamant” he only ordered 50 tablets for his own use, as he could not afford to pay for hundreds.

“The offending was naive in the extreme, using his own address if not his own name.”

Judge Robert Adams told Southward: “I’m just able to suspend the sentence due to your young age, your immediate admissions, the fact you are lightly convicted, and I note you are taking steps to deal with your addiction.

“The remark about loving ecstasy was an unfortunate one.

“You should remember taking this drug is illegal, quite apart from buying it.”

Southward was given a 20 month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which he must perform 200 hours’ community work.

The judge also ordered the confiscation and destruction of the seized drugs.