A MAN caught by police with herbal cannabis said he was using it to relieve back pain.
David Humphrey, 57, of Ringmer Road, Worthing, appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court on Monday, January 14.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful possession of a controlled drug – class C herbal cannabis.
The court heard a police officer on duty, on November 23, saw Humphrey at an address in Freshbrook Road, Lancing.
Linda Arnell, prosecuting, said: "The officer was suspicious and searched Mr Humphrey and found two small bags of herbal cannabis."
Humphrey was arrested and made no comment in a police interview.
Neal Gozzett, defending, said the drugs had a street value of around £20 and were for "personal use" for pain relief.
He added: "He has an extremely bad back."
Magistrates sentenced Humphrey to a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £70 court costs.
They also ordered that the cannabis was forfeited and destroyed.
- During the evening of Tuesday, January 8, police arrested a 44-year-old man from Goring, in Freshbrook Road, Lancing.
The man was given a caution for possession of a class C controlled drug.
