Court report: Homeless man ordered to pay £197 after being found with £3 worth of cannabis

Adam Watkin appeared at the town’s court on Wednesday to plead guilty to possession of the class B drug in London Road on December 7 last year.

It was his fourth conviction for the offence in two years.

Watkin had been stopped and searched after police in a marked vehicle spotted what they believed was a drug deal.

The 23-year-old defendant said in mitigation: “I’ve smoked weed for nearly ten years. I’ve got no intention of not smoking it.

“It helps me with my joint pain because I have a condition I was born with.

“Police have stopped me for about £3 worth. It’s cost more in paperwork and me coming to court.”

Watkin was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £32 victim surcharge.