A row erupted yesterday when a solicitor's son walked away from court without even a fine after being caught with 26 Ecstasy pills.

The woman lawyer's 17-year-old son, who cannot be named, lives in a wealthy suburb of Sunderland and had no previous convictions.

He was caught by doormen at Newcastle University attempting to supply the Ecstasy tablets.

Despite admitting that he had been intending to supply drugs, the case was not even referred to Crown Court.

Instead, a panel at Newcastle Youth Court agreed to hear the case, which could have carried a custodial sentence.

The teenager was put on a youth offending team project for 12 months and ordered to pay £55 in costs over 28 days.

Lord Brian Mackenzie, a former chief superintendent with Durham Police, was angered by the court's ruling.

He said: "It does seem lenient when you think of what the maximum punishments are, particularly for the quantity of drugs he had.

"This is a serious matter and the courts should treat these cases seriously."

It was the first offence for the youth, whose mother works in the field of family law.

He appeared before JPs last week and admitted two drugs charges, one of possession of Ecstasy with intent to supply and possession of cannabis.

The youth had said he had bought 20 Ecstasy tablets for himself and was taking in six others for friends, but said he had not been dealing.

For a first offence, the youth court has three sentencing options. They could have given an absolute discharge, given the youth team referral order, or a training and detention order.

If the case had been tried before a Crown Court, the maximum sentence, for the most severe cases, is life.

Chief Inspector Dave Jackson said: "The youth has been referred to the youth offending panel and had to pay court costs. Oficers will continue to enforce the law for drug related offences.