A 21-year-old man from Douglas caught smoking cannabis in a bird-watching hut has been fined £700.

Lewis William Christian admitted possessing 1.2 grams of the drug and was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.

The court heard that Christian, who lives at Tromode Road, had already been referred to the drug arrest referral scheme in January 2020 for possessing cannabis, and also had a caution for the same offence, so those options were not available this time.

The latest offence took place on December 9 when police were on patrol at Clypse reservoir in Onchan.

They found an unoccupied vehicle and went down a path to a bird-watching hut.

Christian was in the hut with two other people and a small wrap of cannabis was found on a shelf in front of him.

Christian told police the drug was his, for personal use.

Defence advocate Winston Taylor said: ‘Mr Christian was out walking the dog with two friends.

‘He had a small amount of cannabis with him which he’d bought earlier in the day for £20.

‘He stopped for a smoke and the police came upon him.

‘He fully co-operated and made full admissions.’

Magistrates ordered Christian to pay the fine and costs at a rate of £100 per month.