SITTING in the back of a police car, an Ipswich teenager attempted to hide more than 500 ecstasy tablets in his underwear but was quickly discovered by the officer in the driving seat.

SITTING in the back of a police car, an Ipswich teenager attempted to hide more than 500 ecstasy tablets in his underwear but was quickly discovered by the officer in the driving seat.

Shane Brown had been arrested for another offence and was on his way to the Ipswich police station when the officer in the car noticed he had his hands down the back of his trousers and was fiddling around.

Shane Brown, 18, claimed he had leant his jacket to a friend at a party and when it was returned, shortly before his arrest, it contained 584 MDMA (ecstasy) tablets.

However, in South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Tuesday Brown, of Alston Close, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to possession of MDMA and possession of Ketamine.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, told the court that police were called after a pedestrian noticed a car being driven around a car park in Stoke Park Drive with the engine revving loudly.

He said: “Mr Brown was the man driving the car and he was arrested on another charge.

In transit the defendant was acting rather strangely. He placed his hands down the back of his trousers around his bottom.

“He seemed to be endeavouring to conceal something. The driver stopped the car and got the defendant out of the vehicle.

“As he got out the police officer saw a bag of tablets.

“The defendant was then searched and a further five tablets were found on his possession.

“A strip search was undertaken which revealed one further white tablet and in his wallet white residue and half a tablet was found.”

Brown, who is unemployed had £250 in cash in his wallet and a further £1,130 at his home, where 244 grams of Ketamine - a horse tranquiliser was also found.

Mr Davies said: “During interview he said he had been at a friend's house at a party.

“He said a friend asked to borrow his jacket which he allowed them to take.

“In the morning he wanted some fresh air and walked to the car park. He put his hands in his pockets and found the tablets.

“But he could not give an explanation about how some of the tablets got into different pockets and his wallet.”

Brown has been released on unconditional bail until a date is fixed for his sentencing.