A MAN who was set to share cannabis worth almost £700 with friends, has been fined.

Christopher Stonehouse, 20, who also had £220 in cash in his room at a workingmen's club, was told by a judge that whatever he may think about the drug, it was against the law.

Judge Raymond Bennett said the defendant had been cautioned over cannabis. He went on: "The law says it is not allowed to be in possession of it or not allowed to supply it, even if it is to friends who club together."

The judge added had Stonehouse intended to supply the block to people at large, he would have had to send him to custody.

Stonehouse, of Lowerhouse WMC, Burnley, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply, in July. He was fined £300, to be paid at £50 a month.

Charles Brown, prosecuting, told Burnley Crown Court police searching the defendant's home found a seven ounce block of cannabis, worth £650 on the streets, in his room. They also discovered a pair of scales, £220 in cash and a list of names and figures.

Robert Crawford, defending, said Stonehouse had been in a decent full time job for two years.

A group of people had pooled their money to get the cannabis and Stonehouse did not go and buy it. He was going to have a share.

He went on: "He has taken cannabis for a while. He has no previous convictions for cannabis supply."

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