A Douglas man has been sentenced to community service and probation after his fifth cannabis-related offence.

Luke Michael Callister, of Lheannagh Park, was arrested with £36-worth of the drug on July 14.

The 24-year-old has three previous convictions for possession of the drug and one for possession with intent to supply.

Prosecutor James Robinson told High Bailiff Jayne Hughes that Callister was spoken to by police while he was a passenger in a Ford Focus at West Baldwin car park.

A smell of cannabis was emanating from the car and Callister handed over a tub with 1.8 grams of the drug.

His last conviction was in April when he was sentenced to 90 hours’ community service.

probation

A probation report said Callister was employed by a waste disposal company and that he had 42 and a half hours left of the 90-hour order to complete.

The report said that Callister was unemployed at the time of the offence but had since obtained work.

He was concerned he would lose his job if he was sent to prison.

Advocate Deborah Myerscough said Callister had good prospects at his job and that he was taking driving lessons which would help in his employment.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes discharged the previous 90-hour community service order and sentenced Callister to 100 hours of unpaid work as well as 12 months’ probation.