Ramsey man prosecuted for drug offence eight months after charge

47-year-old picked up two similar convictions in-between

A court’s heard it took eight months to prosecute a Ramsey man over £24 worth of cannabis during which time he picked up two similar convictions.

Forty-seven-year-old Mark Roberts, of North Shore Road, appeared at Douglas Courthouse where he pleaded guilty to possessing 0.8 grammes of the drug.

Police found the drugs in a bedroom when they raided his home on 24 November last year.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes asked the prosecutor why the case had taken so long to come to court given Roberts had been charged following a voluntary interview in February.

James Robinson said the case file had been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers in June and Roberts had last been convicted of possessing the class B drug in April.

Mrs Hughes said the latest case should have been heard alongside that one.

She imposed a £150 fine but said Roberts wouldn’t have to pay costs because of the delay.