A drug taker was ordered to pay £100 and given a conditional discharge after a police officer searched him and found five bags of cannabis.
Craig Shoesmith, 24, of Julia Gardens, Barking, pleaded guilty to possessing the class B drug at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Claire Hebdon, prosecuting, said police had approached a group of youths in the street where Shoesmith lives earlier this month.
When questioned, the defendant admitted he had been smoking cannabis.
She added: “He said he had some on him and produced one bag but, after he was searched further, another five bags were recovered.
“He said he bought the lot for £60.”
On Friday, May 2, the court heard, Shoesmith had a quantity of cannabis that contravened section 5(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
When the bench asked Shoesmith if he had anything to say on the matter he replied: “No – nothing, really.”
After imposing the £100 fine, the chairman told him: “As you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, I’m going to impose a 12-month discharge.
“The possession of cannabis is unlawful and the more you get caught with it, the more likely it will be that you go to prison.”
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