A Ramsey man has been fined £150 for possession of £20 worth of cannabis.

Michael Anthony Brown, aged 27, of Bircham Avenue Close, admitted the offence and was also ordered by magistrates to pay £125 prosecution costs.

The offence put Brown in breach of licence conditions relating to his early release from a 15-month custodial sentence, which expires in June 2019.

He was also said to have numerous previous convictions.

The court heard that a search warrant was executed at Brown’s home on January 17. Officers found four small lumps of cannabis resin inside a metal tin on the table in the lounge.

Magistrates heard that Brown told police officers that he was addicted to the drug and that he smoked it every day.

Defence advocate Kate Alexander said that Brown had ’lost his way’ since his release from prison in November.

The advocate said that he had previously been under the care of the mental health team but had received no support for three months after his prison release, though he was now receiving support.

’He has since been offered a flat by Ramsey Town Commissioners,’ said Ms Alexander.’

’And he has a job on a fishing vessel.

’He is not proud of the fact he’s been involved with drugs and he hopes to break that cycle.’