A man from Onchan who ordered cannabis in the post has been handed a suspended sentence.

Scott Anthony Johnson, of Furman Close, told police he used the drug for relief from back pain caused by two slipped discs.

The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to production of cannabis to the island, being concerned in production of cannabis to the island, and possession of the drug.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith sentenced him to 20 weeks’ custody, suspended for 12 months.

We previously reported that police were called to the Post Office sorting office on September 18 after a suspicious parcel was reported which was addressed to ’PSV Johnson’.

When police arrived it was opened and inside were four vacuum packed packages of cannabis weighing a total of 14 grams, valued at £280.

On October 15, police were called to the sorting office again after a second package was received, this one addressed to ’AD Johnson’.

When this was opened it was found to contain two vacuum packed packages with a total of 114.6 grams in them, worth £2,292.

A search of Johnson’s home found another 19.2 grams of the drug worth £113.05.

He told police: ’It’s my monthly smoke,’ and said that he did not like to associate with people selling it on the street.

When interviewed Johnson confirmed that he had ordered the drugs online because ’you don’t know what you’re getting over here’.

He said the cannabis was for personal use as he was self-medicating, using it for pain caused by two slipped discs in his back.

Defence advocate Paul Glover asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty pleas and the fact that his last conviction was in 2005.

’He is a heavy cannabis user and has been for some time,’ said the advocate.

Mr Glover said that Johnson was a full-time carer for his daughter and asked for his Article 8 human rights to be considered.

A probation report assessed Johnson as a low risk of harm to others but a high risk of reoffending, because of his cannabis use.

On Thursday Deputy High Bailiff Mr Arrowsmith said that he was suspending the sentence after taking into account the impact of custody on Johnson’s daughter, the fact that the drug was for personal use, and that his last conviction was some time ago.

Mr Arrowsmith also ordered Johnson to pay £175 prosecution costs by January 3.