A gardener has been fined £300 for possessing £24-worth of cannabis.

Charlie Derek Marshall, of Birch Hill Close, Onchan, who has a previous drug-related conviction, was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court how a warrant was executed at Marshall’s home on February 26 at Marshall’s then home in Royal Court in Douglas.

Cannabis weighing 1.2 grams was found along with drug paraphernalia.

When interviewed by police the 25-year-old handed in a prepared statement saying that the cannabis was for personal use.

Defence advocate David Clegg said that, at the time of the offence, his client was unemployed and was using cannabis.

Mr Clegg said that Marshall was now in work as a gardener, was no longer using the drug and had moved back into his mother’s home.

’I would suggest these are all positive signs,’ said the advocate.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith ordered Marshall to pay the fine and costs at a rate of £50 per week.