Magistrates have ordered the destruction of a £250 cannabis stash, which was bought in bulk for pain relief.

Andrew James Rowland, of Ramsden Court, Monkton, pleaded guilty to possession of Class B drugs when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, April 16.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones said police could smell cannabis when they stopped Rowland’s car because of a defective brake-light on March 20.

Rowland, 30, produced a bag containing 25 grams of herbal cannabis, which had an estimated street value of £250.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “In interview he fully admitted it was his. He said it was for his own personal use.”

Rowland told the officers he bought the drug in bulk because it was cheaper than buying individual gram deals.

Anthony O’Connell, defending, said Rowlands, who had no previous convictions, suffered from chronic back pain and osteoarthritis which left him unable to work.

“He is given medication for his back but finds that it knocks him out and puts him to sleep for a couple of hours.

“He finds it easier to self-medicate with cannabis, which numbs the pain without sending him to sleep.”

The court heard that the bag of drugs would last Rowlands a month, but he had not bought or used cannabis since his arrest.

Mr O’Connell said: “This has been something of a wake-up call for him.”

Magistrates fined Rowland £80 and ordered him to pay £115 in costs and a surcharge.

A destruction order was made for the seized drugs.