A 31-year-old Onchan man has been fined £100 for possessing £5-worth of cannabis.

Matthew Jamie Cowin, of Avondale Road, admitted the offence and was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs by magistrates.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain said that the matter had come to court as previous convictions had meant a referral to the Drug Arrest Referral Scheme had been ruled out.

Mr Swain said: ’It was a small amount and this often generates headlines but it is still illegal.’

The prosecutor told the court that police were at the address of a friend of Cowin on September 18 last year when Cowin arrived and was searched with officers finding 0.25 grams of cannabis, valued at £5.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’It was a very small amount of cannabis valued using the increased street value the authorities are currently using. Mr Cowin had fallen out with his partner and went to a friend’s address. Three officers jumped out from behind a bush and put him to the ground.

’This was quite some time ago and he has started engaging with the drug and alcohol team.

He had stopped using cannabis and forgot he had it on him.’

Magistrates’ chair David Christian said: ’As has been said it was a small amount, but it is still illegal in the Isle of Man so we have to deal with it in that way.’

Cowin will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £50 per fortnight.

A 31-year-old Onchan man has been fined £100 for possessing £5-worth of cannabis.

Matthew Jamie Cowin, of Avondale Road, admitted the offence and was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs by magistrates.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain said that the matter had come to court as due to previous convictions a referral to the Drug Arrest Referral Scheme had been ruled out.

Mr Swain said: ’It was a small amount and this often generates headlines but it is still illegal.’

The prosecutor told the court thart police were at the address of a friend of Cowin on September 18 last year when Cowin arrived and was searched with officers finding 0.25 grams of cannabis, valued at £5.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’It was a very small amount of cannabis valued using the increased street value the authorities are currently using.

’Mr Cowin had fallen out with his partner and went to a friend’s address. Three officers jumped out from behind a bush and put him to the ground.

’This was quite some time ago and he has started engaging with the Drug and Alcohol Team.

’He had stopped using cannabis and forgot he had it on him.’

Magistrates’ chair David Christian said: ’As has been said it was a small amount, but it is still illegal on the Isle of Man so we have to deal with it in that way.’

Cowin will pay the fine and costs at a rate of £50 per fortnight.