A MAN was fined after being caught possessing a quantity of cocaine.

Police officers searched James Jewell, of Fairfield Road, at 11.35am on April 14, 2021, while he was walking along Ashley Road in Salisbury.

During the search, officers found 2.5g of cocaine in Jewell's possession and he was arrested.

In an interview at the police station, the defendant made full admissions and claimed the drugs were for his own personal use.

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Jewell pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine at a hearing in Salisbury Magistrates Court on Friday, August 18.

Anthony Nowogradski, prosecuting, said that there was a police investigation to find out if the defendant was supplying drugs but it resulted in no further action against Jewell.

Jewell, representing himself, told the court: "I have changed."

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He was ordered to pay a £275 fine, £34 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Presiding Justice Magistrate Mr Greenyer said: "Being in possession of class A drugs is a serious matter. There was a large amount of drugs you had so we have taken that into account as an aggravating factor.

"But, we have taken into account your age as a mitigating factor."