POLICE officers picked up a drug user on the way to raiding his flat – where cannabis valued at £650 was discovered – after spotting him in the street en route.

Cannabis use was described as a “bit of a problem” for Wayne Anthony Butler, but Welshpool Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday, July 27, that the 34-year-old had been smoking more of the Class B drug since giving up alcohol at the beginning of the year.

Butler, of Valentine Court, Great Oak Street, Llanidloes, admitted possessing 65 grams of cannabis at the hearing this week.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said: “The search warrant was executed at his home. He was seen in town en route and was picked up.

“Police found herbal cannabis, cannabis buds and wraps of cannabis with an approximate street value of £650. The defendant claimed ownership of four of the items, and said it was all for personal use.”

Paul Inns, acting for Butler, said his client was fully cooperative with the police.

“He takes a little issue with the 65 grams as he believes police may have weighed the wrapping, but the weight still would have been over 60g,” said Mr Inns.

“He uses about an ounce a month. He purchased more at the time as he was on an alcohol detox. He has not drunk any alcohol since January but cannabis is a bit of a problem.”

Mr Inns said Butler suffered from a multitude of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and paranoid schizophrenia.

“He has a fairly extensive record but in fairness to him, it has been quite sporadic over the years," he said. “This offence pre-dates a sentence from March, and he has completed post-sentence supervision.”

It was at this point that Butler spoke to praise those people working in services helping him to battle his drug and alcohol addictions, claiming he had passed every drug test taken since December.

But probation officer Andy Pearson said: “His most recent drug test provided positive samples for amphetamines and cannabis.

“He attends appointments in a coherent manner but he has recently recommenced consuming alcohol. He has shown willing to continue his work with Kaleidoscope and to get back on track."

Mr Inns admitted there were discrepancies between the instructions he was given and the author of the report, but said his client was adamant he had not been drinking since December.

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and told Butler he was looking at a community order. They adjourned sentencing for a week until August 3.