A 21-year-old Onchan man has been fined £200 for possessing half a gram of cannabis.

Kian Joseph Price had previously been given a conditional discharge for possession of the same drug which he had breached just six days after it was imposed.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks revoked that order and fined Price a further £300.

Price was said to have three previous drug-related cautions as well as the conditional discharge, which meant that the matter had to be brought to court.

The court heard how police stopped Price while he was driving a Volkswagen Golf on Whitebridge Road in Onchan on May 30 at 2.40pm, as they reported a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle.

Price, who lives at Whitebridge Road, told police that he had a small amount of the drug.

Police found 0.5 grams of cannabis, which they valued at £10.

During a voluntary interview he admitted it was his, for personal use.

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

Price said he had gone through a period between March and May when he had been using cannabis more as he was between jobs and had a lack of purpose.

He was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs and will pay all amounts at a rate of £250 per month.