AN IPSWICH dock worker who regularly took ecstasy was in possession of 33 tablets of the drug.Ashley Dewar, 20, of Deben Valley Drive, Kesgrave, pleaded guilty to possession Class A drugs, at Ipswich Crown Court.

AN IPSWICH dock worker who regularly took ecstasy was in possession of 33 tablets of the drug.

Ashley Dewar, 20, of Deben Valley Drive, Kesgrave, pleaded guilty to possession Class A drugs, at Ipswich Crown Court.

Rosalyn Mandil-Wade, mitigating, said her client had initially been charged with the more serious offence of intending to supply ecstasy but he had been acquitted.

The court heard that Dewar who previously worked for Tesco took ecstasy up to three times a week for almost three years.

Miss Mandil-Wade said: "He has now very much distanced himself from that drug."

Mr Recorder Nicholas Hamblen QC said a custodial sentence could be justified but because Dewar had pleaded guilty and had no previous convictions for drugs he could impose a community punishment.

Dewar was ordered to carry out 140 hours community service and a four-month curfew order was imposed between 8pm and 3am every Friday and Saturday.

He was also told to pay £100 towards court costs.