A teenager from Willaston has been ordered to perform 40 hours of community service after admitting possession of £20 worth of cannabis.

Zachariah James Dean Moore, of Tynwald Road, was already subject to a combination order, of a two-years’ probation and 120 hours community service after admitting possessing over £3,000-worth of cannabis with intent to supply and holding more than £1,000 in criminal property.

The court heard that 18-year-old Moore had been sentenced to the combination order the day before by Deemster Alastair Montgomerie at the Court of General Gaol Delivery and it was a direct alternative to seven months’ custody.

In relation to the latest offence, in the summary court, prosecutor James Robinson told the court how, on March 10 at 11.10am, police went to Moore’s Tynwald Road address to make enquiries about an unrelated matter.

The court heard there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from the house and a small amount of cannabis bush, along with a grinder, was found.

The drug was weighed at one gram, worth £20, and in a police interview Moore admitted it was his, saying it was for personal use only.

Defending Moore in court his advocate, David Reynolds, said that his client had already sought out help from Motiv8, an addiction advisory service.

Mr Reynolds said: ’It was a small amount of drugs. My client admitted the possession to police in the interview, without an advocate, and pleaded guilty in court at the first opportunity.

’The orders already in place will hopefully give him the support he needs. He had not been before the court until yesterday’s sentencing.

’He has been very anxious at the thought of having to go into custody. He is hoping the support from Motiv8 and probation services is going to prevent him being before the court again.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that, given the very low quantity involved, she was minded to deal with the offence by way of financial penalty, but Mr Reynolds said that Moore was already paying prosecution costs of £250 at a rate of £5 per week and had no income.

The Deputy High Bailiff said: ’It is unfortunate this could not have been before the Deemster yesterday but you only committed the offence on March 10. It is a very small quantity. ’

The 40 hour community service order will run consecutively to the 120 hours.