A chef from Douglas has been fined £1,200 for possession of ecstasy and cannabis.

Shaun Michael Woods was also ordered to pay £100 costs by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that Woods, who lives at Saddle Road, was arrested on April 15 after he was caught with half an ecstasy tablet and cannabis valued by police at £36.

Then, on April 26, police searched an address at Park Ollay in Ramsey where Woods was living at the time and found 8.4 grams of cannabis bush, valued at £250, as well as 0.6 grams of cannabis resin, valued at £3.43.

When interviewed, the 28-year-old admitted that he used cannabis but disputed the values place on the drug.

In court he pleaded guilty to one count of ecstasy possession and three counts of cannabis possession.

A probation report said that Woods said had forgotten he had the half ecstasy tablet.

He said that he didn’t drink and preferred to use cannabis.

The report said that he had believed it was a victimless crime but now accepted that the sale of it was used to fund a higher level of criminality.

A recommendation was made for community service although Woods said this would be difficult as he worked six days a week.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander asked the court to consider a financial penalty bearing in mind her client’s work committments.

Ms Alexander asked for credit to be given for Woods’ co-operation with the police and his guilty pleas.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes fined him £500 for the ecstasy possession, £200 for the cannabis possession on April 15, and £250 for each of the two cannabis possession offences on April 26.

He will pay all amounts at a rate of £300 per month.