A 20-year-old man from Union Mills has admitted receiving £1,686 worth of cannabis in two packages in the post.

Fletcher Nelson will be sentenced on November 6 at the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court how police were called to the sorting office on July 9 after a suspicious package was found addressed to Nelson.

It was found to contain 56.5 grams of the class ’B’ drug valued at £1,130.

On July 21, police were again called to the sorting office when a second package for Nelson arrived.

This was opened and police found 27.8 grams of cannabis, valued at £556.

Police went to Nelson’s home in Snugborough Avenue where he was arrested.

When interviewed he gave ’no comment’ responses to all questions.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing and said that he would be submitting a basis of plea for his client which will state that the drug was for personal use.

Magistrates ruled that they would have kept the case in summary court for sentencing but for the need for a confiscation order, which can only be made at the higher court.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with conditions that Nelson reside at his home address and contact probation.