A gardener has been fined £500 for possessing cannabis.

Albert James Johnson was caught with 27.3 grams of the drug, valued by police at £809.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court how police executed a search warrant at Johnson’s home at Slieau Curn Park, Kirk Michael, on November 24 at 9.40am and found the class ’B’ drug in the living room.

The 29-year-old was not present at the time but later attended a voluntary interview with police and admitted possessing the drug.

Mr Kane submitted that the case was suitable for summary court sentencing.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode handed in letters of reference for his client and said that Johnson used the drug for medicinal purposes.

Mr Kermode said that there was a medical issue referred to in a letter from Johnson’s mother.

’Mr Johnson had recently purchased the cannabis. He would say it would have lasted him a few weeks as he was an occasional user,’ said the advocate.

’He wasn’t there when the police raided his house but voluntarily attended an interview.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that Johnson ran his own gardening business and had no previous convictions.

Magistrates also ordered that he pay £125 costs.