A 20-year-old Ramsey man has been fined £700 after being caught with cannabis valued at £51.

Adam Simon Campbell, of Gladstone Avenue, admitted possession of the drug and was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that police went to Waterloo Road in Ramsey on April 21 at 11.20pm initially in response to a noise complaint.

Campbell was there, in a Volkswagen Polo, and there was said to be a smell of cannabis coming from the car.

A search found 1.7 grams of the drug in Campbell’s pocket.

He told police: ’It’s a £20 bag.’

Mr Swain said that this was another low value amount of cannabis but as Campbell had a previous conviction for possession with intent to supply, until the law changes, there was no alternative but for it to come to court.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander asked for credit to be given for her client’s guilty plea and co-operation with the police.

Ms Alexander said that, although Campbell had an unenviable record for someone of his young age, there had been a de-escalation in his offending.

’Notwithstanding the police value, he says he paid £20 for the drug,’ said the advocate.

Magistrates ordered Campbell to pay the fine and costs at a rate of £20 per fortnight deducted from benefits.