A MATLOCK man caught with drugs told police he was having a celebration with friends.
Officers went to Marcus Walmsley’s home and saw a plastic bag containing cannabis beside him.
He was with two pals and immediately accepted the cannabis - worth about £30 - was his, Chesterfield magistrates heard.
Helen Griffiths, prosecuting, said: “He said: ‘I’m giving it to the lads to celebrate’. It seems it was the birthday of one of them,”
Walmsley was arrested and later handed in a statement to police saying he bought the cannabis for £50 a few days before.
“He said it was for his own use and he was not going to supply it to anyone and he shared a single spliff with a friend,” added Mrs Griffiths.
Walmsley (28) of Smedley Street, Matlock, admitted possessing cannabis on October 3 last year.
He was cautioned by police for a similar offence two years ago. He was fined £93, with £85 costs.