A Monkton man caught in possession of a large quantity of cannabis in his car has been fined in court.

Thirty-year-old Andrew James Rowlands, of Ramsden Court, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to admit a charge of possessing 25 grams of the drug in Pembroke on March 20.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that shortly after 10.30 am, police pulled Mr. Rowlands over as his vehicle had a defective brake light.

“Officers could smell cannabis and the defendant said he had a bag of it in the car. He told officers that it was for his own personal use and that he’d paid £200 for it, explaining that it was cheaper to buy it in bulk,” he said.

Defence solicitor Anthony O’Connell told the court that Mr. Rowlands lived with his partner and two children, suffered with chronic back pain and was not able to work, therefore he looked after the house.

“His subscription drugs for his ban pain knock him out he says, so he self-medicates with cannabis.

“He was fully compliant with police, and this has been something of a wake up call for him as he has not bought any cannabis since,” he added.

Magistrates fined Mr. Rowlands £80 for the offence and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge.

A destruction order was also passed for the drugs.