A prisoner caught carrying Class B drugs in a boot-polish tin will leave custody with a clean slate.

Charles James McBride, pleaded guilty to cannabis possession when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via video link from Park Prison on Tuesday, May 29.

Abul Hussain, prosecuting, told the court that a tin containing cannabis was found after McBride was arrested for an unrelated matter in Milford Haven and searched on May 8.

Mr Hussain said: “The value of the drug was less than £10. It was a very small quantity. He admitted it was his and for his own personal use.”

Jonathan Webb, defending, said: “Mr McBride was arrested for an unrelated matter and was found to be in possession of a boot-polish tin containing an unweighable amount of cannabis. It was a very, very small amount.”

Magistrates told McBride, 39, they had decided to take the unusual step of imposing an absolute discharge for the offence, and made a destruction order for the drugs.

“You will come out of custody with a clean slate.”