A DRUG dealing schoolboy walked free from court after a sheriff said he had suffered an 'ordeal' and been led astray by two girls who bought ecstasy from him.

William Gebbie, 17, sold five of the killer tablets between classes at Braidhurst High School in Motherwell, Lanarkshire.

The girls, who were aged 14 and 15 years-old, handed Gebbie £10 for the bag of the class-A drug during a break at the school in March last year.

Both girls then headed to a toilet where they swallowed a tablet each before going to their next class.

The effects of the drug - nicknamed Shamrocks - began to show just half-an-hour later.

Despite both girls being under the influence of drugs in class it's understood the school's headteacher Derrick Hannan was only told of the incident two months later.

An investigation was launched and both girls, who can't be named for legal reasons, along with Gebbie were interviewed.

The matter was reported to police and Gebbie, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, was arrested.

An earlier hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court saw teenage dealer Gebbie plead guilty to supplying drugs.

But he was admonished by Sheriff Marie Smart who told him she hoped his conviction would not hinder his adult life.

Sheriff Smart said: "This has been an ordeal for you and for your family, and it is unfortunate the Crown did not decide to exercise discretion which they could have.

"It is unfortunate that you now have a conviction but I am satisfied that you were led astray by these two girls.

"I will deal with this as leniently as I possibly can. I only hope that this does not affect you in any future employment."

Last night Gebbie's lawyer Tom Watters told the court Gebbie came from a good background.

He said: "The headteacher at Braidhurst High, Mr Derrek Hannan, described him as an excellent pupil with whom he had no previous problems.

"Although not exceeding at school he was doing very well.

"Mr Hannan has said it was a pleasure teaching him in a school where difficulties were unavoidable.

"The two girl pupils involved were among the most unruly in the school.

"Mr Hannan has spoken to me to see if there was a possibility that this could be resolved without prosecution.

"He had written a letter to the Crown requesting this as any future conviction would have prejudiced future employment and have a very serious impact on his life.

"This incident happened three weeks after he had celebrated his 16th birthday.

"It is a very serious matter and there is no getting away from that. But he is a low risk of reoffending and continues to do well at school."

An earlier hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court saw fiscal depute Jim Leck tell how Gebbie was asked if he could provide the deadly drug.

Mr Leck said: "Mr Gebbie was approached by the girls and asked if he could provide the ecstasy. He confirmed that was possible and handed over a bag of five tablets in exchange for £10.

"Both girls then headed for a school toilet were they consumed one tablet each.

"It is not clear what happened to the other three tablets after that.

"Both of them took one and then went to class."

The fiscal told the court that the girls were unable to say how long the effects lasted for.

Last night Murdo Maciver, Head of Educational Resources at North Lanarkshire Council, said: "North Lanarkshire Council takes a zero tolerance approach to drugs and has a strong personal, social, health drugs education programme, which is delivered in conjunction with Strathclyde Police."