A Pembroke man dropped a carrier bag of Class B drugs in front of police officers, a court has heard.

Shaun Andrew Clawson, from Pembroke, but currently of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to cannabis possession when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, April 24.

Dennis Davies, prosecuting, said officers spotted Clawson in Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, at 11pm on June 30.

“He dropped the carrier bag he was carrying on the ground. Police looked inside and saw 27.6 grams of cannabis inside. The estimated street value is £277.”

Clawson, 33, accepted that the cannabis was his when arrested, adding that it was for his own personal use.

He told officers that he dropped the bag and walked around the corner because he did not want to be caught with it.

David Elvy, defending, said Clawson had mental and physical health issues.

“He says he paid about £100 for the amount of cannabis he was found with. He would have paid for it through the benefits he was receiving.”

Magistrates fined Clawson £80 and ordered him to pay £85 costs plus a £30 surcharge.

A destruction order was made for the seized drugs.