£500 fine for possession of cannabis resin

Sentenced on estimated value of drug

A man who pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin has been fined £500 by the Deputy High Bailiff.

Twenty six year old Paul James Beattie told the court he used the drug to help him sleep and to treat a skin condition.

Police found the drug in a tobacco pouch in Beattie's car and he told officers it was for his own use and worth around £20 to £30.

Jayne Hughes told Beattie she was sentencing him on the estimated value of the drug he had supplied - and she was at a loss to know why police hadn't weighed or valued the drug officially.

In addition to the fine, Beattie was ordered to pay £125 costs.