Man who had 55 Ecstasy tablets given fine of $350

A Ponsonby financial analyst caught up in a so-called celebrity drug ring has been fined $350 for possession of the party drug Ecstasy.

Elliott John Worrall, 30, pleaded guilty last month to a charge of possession, which carries a maximum penalty of three months' imprisonment and a $500 fine. The charge was reduced from one of possession for supply.

Former All Black Marc Ellis was last week convicted and fined $300 after he admitted possessing Ecstasy. Court documents also named former Kiwi league player Brent Todd but he has not been charged with any offence.

Worrall had arranged to buy 55 pills from a man who police say was the head of the ring and under electronic surveillance.

He later went to the man's home to pick up the drugs.

Worrall's lawyer, Stuart Grieve, QC, had asked for a discharge without conviction so Worrall could travel overseas on business, particularly to the United States, Canada and Europe.

Mr Grieve said Worrall, a financial analyst with a commerce and law degree, had effectively lost his job with the Pacific Retail Group when his offending became known.

The firm had indicated he would be re-hired if he was discharged without conviction.

But yesterday in the Auckland District Court Mr Grieve said the application for a discharge without conviction would not be pursued.

Neither Mr Grieve nor prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch made submissions on sentencing but Mr Pilditch told Judge Avinash Deobhakta that other people in a similar situation had been fined.

Judge Deobhakta said Worrall appeared to have a "great future" and his actions and the subsequent court case had had quite an impact on his life and career.

Worrall was ordered to pay court costs in addition to the $350 fine.