A TEENAGER on a gap year was fined after he was found with drugs at Lewes bonfire.

Calum Emery appeared in court where he admitted possessing MDMA (ecstasy) at the event last year.

The 18-year-old appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court where he said he had made a “stupid mistake”.

Suzanne Soros, prosecuting, said police became aware of an incident at the bonfire in November, and Emery ran past them.

When he was searched he was found to be in possession of 1.69 grams of the class A drug.

She said he has four convictions for seven previous offences, including possession of cannabis in 2014, attempted robbery, and assault, all of which were committed while he was a youth.

In court Emery, of Waldshut Road in Lewes, said: “I made a stupid mistake. I don’t take drugs. I have stayed out of trouble since 2016.

“I don’t intend to start getting in trouble. I have sorted my life out.”

He said he hopes to start studying at university in September after his gap year.

Magistrate John Stambridge imposed a £120 fine and told him to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £30 costs after Emery admitted possessing the drug.

Mr Stambridge said: “You are a man with a chequered history, but you have pleaded guilty. You don’t need to take drugs to enjoy life. Take this chance and don’t come back.”