John Albert Pearson, 55, who stated he had no fixed address, pleaded guilty to a single charge of possessing a controlled Class-B drug when he appeared before magistrates in Bridlington last Wednesday.

Zoe Simpson, prosecuting, said police had been called to assist with an eviction from an address in Postill Square, Bridlington, on October 12.

Officers searched the property after spotting drug paraphernalia inside the address. A small packet of what was later identified as cannabis resin was found inside a tobacco tin, the court heard.

When interviewed, Pearson fully admitted the drugs were for his personal use and that he used them for medical reasons.

Mitigating, Pearson initially declined to say anything, except to confirm that the prosecution account was correct.

But, following questions from presiding magistrate Martin Dodgson, he told the bench he was disabled down his left side and used cannabis for pain relief. He added: "My last doctor in Castleford said 'I can't prescribe it to you, but if you can get it, get it'."

Pearson was given a 12-month conditional discharge by the bench. No costs were awarded, but the drugs were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

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