A MAN was caught with cannabis in his possession after police watched his friend going in and out of his flat, looking “dodgy”.

Police officers were out in the nighttime economy at 11pm in Whitehaven in areas where “potentially there is some use of controlled substances”, Workington Magistrates’ Court heard.

Tony Bennett, 19, was seen by officers, who were concerned about his actions.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said Bennett was stopped and asked if he had anything on his person. He said he had ‘smoke’ – a slang term for cannabis -  in his pocket.

Bennett was searched and officers found an amount of cannabis consistent with personal use.

The defendant, of Duke Street, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug.

Bennett, who was not legally represented in court, said: “I had just finished work. I was going to go to my mate’s. I went back into my flat. My mate was going back and forth into my flat.

“Police were watching. They saw my mate going back and forth and forth and thought it looked a little bit dodgy.”

Passing sentence, magistrates told Bennett he shouldn’t have had the drugs.

He was fined £100 and must pay £85 costs and a £40 surcharge.

An order was made for forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

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