A Llanarth man used cannabis to ease arthritis pain, a court heard last week.

Ian Andrew Phillips, aged 52, of 23 Bron Llethi, pleaded guilty to cannabis possession when he appeared before Aberystwyth magistrates on Wednesday.

The court heard that police followed a car following a report of suspicious behaviour on August 8, and noticed Phillips had traces of herbal cannabis on his clothing when he got out of the vehicle.

A small plastic container in the driver’s side was found to contain 0.37 grammes of the Class B drug.

Phillips, who represented himself at the hearing, was arrested, and made a full and frank admission when interviewed at the police station.

He said: “I use cannabis medicinally, as I suffer from arthritis in my back. I’m taking morphine, but find I get better relief from the cannabis.”

Phillips was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

A destruction order was made for the seized drugs.