A man has been sentenced to community service after cannabis he ordered on the internet was sent to his neighbour in error.

Stephen George May, aged 38, of Hailwood Avenue, in Douglas, admitted ordering the drug then sending for a second package when he thought the first hadn’t arrived.

We previously reported how the first package containing 29 grams of cannabis said to be worth £580 had gone to May’s neighbour’s house.

The neighbour informed the police when they discovered the drugs and an investigation led to a search of May’s house.

Police found more cannabis at the house, weighing 21.8 grams and 1.2 grams, worth £436 and £24 respectively.

May accepted that all the cannabis was his saying it was for his own use.

He said when the drugs hadn’t arrived he ordered some more and these were the ones that were found in his house.

May said that he had never intended to supply cannabis and that it was all for his own use.

The court heard that no evidence had been found that suggested May had been supplying drugs.

Defence advocate Jim Travers asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea and co-operation with the police.

’He pointed out where the drugs were and held his hands up straight away.

’He is 38 and whilst he ought to know better, it would appear he has sought to make his own arrangements rather than going out on the street.

’Off his own bat he was attempting to manage his cannabis habit by ordering online.

’Mr May is not alone in making these arrangements.

’It appears to be the modern way of getting hold of drugs these days.’

Crutch

Mr Travers went on to say that May had dabbled in the drug as a teenager and more recently, after a serious event, had used it as a crutch, but had now stopped using it.

’I suggest he is the type of character who, as soon as police knocked on his door, his world fell in,’ said the advocate.

’Therefore he just cut out his cannabis use there and then.

’He has followed up the recommendation in the probation report in contacting Motiv8 for support.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sentenced May to 180 hours community service for production of drugs to the island and 100 hours for possession of the drug, to run concurrently.

He must also pay £125 prosecution costs.