TEENAGER John Tinnion faces a court bill of £100 for possessing a small amount of cannabis resin worth £1.50.

Tinnion, 18, of Bath Road, Devizes, pleaded guilty to possessing 2.2 grams of cannabis resin, a class B controlled drug.

Kennet Magistrates' Court in Devizes heard on Monday that the cannabis was found on Tinnion when he was searched by police on December 5. He told officers it was for his own use.

Rachael Hume, prosecuting, said Tinnion had been given a police caution in October for possessing cannabis and it was not felt suitable to issue a second caution following the December find, despite the small amount of cannabis involved.

Margaret Wrench, defending, said: "He is before the court for the first time. He is a man of previous clean character and expresses remorse to the court."

Presiding magistrate Captain Kettlewell told Tinnion: "You have probably heard that the Government may legalise some drugs but there are counter arguments that drugs don't do you any good. There are many things that are legal that are harmful.

"You have only just turned 18 and I suggest you keep off it. The bench doesn't want to see you again."

Tinnion was fined £50 and ordered to pay £50 costs.

The Government proposes changing the law on cannabis next year. It plans to downgrade it from a class B to a class C drug and most people caught in possession of it will not face prosecution if it is for their own use.