Tests showed the tablet was not ecstasy

But another tablet fell from his pocket and while he chatted with friends, the baby girl found it and thought it was a sweet.

Shortly afterwards, the court heard, her eyes were seen to roll back into her head so the pupils could not be seen and began shaking uncontrollably.

Her father picked her up and ran into the street shouting for help.

David Harries, prosecuting, said Collins recognised the symptoms and immediately searched his track suit pockets for his tablet of amphetamine, only to find it missing.

Critical condition

The child was admitted to Swansea's Morriston Hospital in a life-threatening condition.

She was later transferred in a critical condition to a specialised paediatric hospital unit at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

After five days she was stable and went on to make a full recovery.

Collins, of Morriston, Swansea, admitted two offences of possessing amphetamine.

Following toxicology tests, no evidence was offered against the original charge of possession of ecstasy and the court heard he was never formally charged with assault.

The Judge, Mr Recorder Christopher Vosper, said prison had not worked in the past for Collins and he was willing to try a new type of sentencing.

"Had there been any indication that this was a Class A drug or that you had been reckless I would have given you a custodial sentence," he said.

"It's quite plain that the drug fell from your pocket and was picked up by her without you or any of the other adults realising what had happened."

Collins was made the subject of a drugs treatment and testing order for two years.

He will be tested for drugs at least twice a week and if he does not stay drugs free will be brought back to court to be resentenced.