A MAN who tried to throw ecstasy tablets down a police cell toilet while he was being searched by officers has been jailed for two years.

Michael Guittard, of William Street, Clayton-le-Moors, was arrested by police in Blackburn earlier this year after he was seen coming out of a house in Roe Lee Park that officers had a warrant to search.

Burnley Crown Court heard that the 28-year-old got into a van near by.

When officers approached, he told the driver to drive away quickly.

Patrick Williamson, prosecuting, said officers lunged into the van, arrested Guittard and took him to Greenbank police station, Blackburn.

Mr Williamson said: "He was taken to a cell for an intimate search.

"He became agitated and violent and officers saw a white packet in his clenched buttocks."

The court heard that when the packet fell to floor Guittard grabbed about 15 of the tablets and threw them down the cell toilet. He admitted having the tablets, but said they were for his own use and to give to friends.

Ian Dacre, defending, said: "The police were staking out a place that this defendant just happened to visit on that day. He doesn't accept there was any commercial element. He was with friends who helped him out with ecstasy and he would do the same for them."

Guittard pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a class A drug and possession of cannabis, found during a search of his home, at an earlier hearing. He had also previously admitted obstructing a police officer and two charges of possession of a prohibited weapon after he was also found to be carrying a can of CS gas and a can of pepper spray.