A 30-year-old joiner who was sent drugs by a friend in the post as a Christmas present has been fined £1,500.

A package arrived at the Post Office sorting office addressed to Maxwell Timothy Dawson, of Snugborough Avenue, Union Mills, on December 16.

Police found £1,680 worth of cannabis inside it.

Dawson pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cannabis.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that Dawson then attended the sorting office to inquire about the parcel.

He was told it had been seized by police so he went to police headquarters voluntarily and was arrested.

When interviewed Dawson denied being involved in bringing the cannabis to the island saying a friend sent it as a gift.

However, he admitted that he knew what the contents of the package would be.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said: ’Mr Dawson accepts the facts. He says he did have a conversation with a friend in the UK and received a tracking number and a message saying "Merry Christmas".’

Mr Taylor went on to say that the price of cannabis was lower in the UK and that his client was working as a joiner.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Dawson to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £30 per week.