A MAGISTRATE told an Ilminster drug user that he “deserved a good slap on the back of the legs” when he appeared in the dock after being caught in possession of cannabis.

Jeffrey Collingwood told Jonathon Michael Dyer that if he appeared in court before him again on a similar charge then “things would turn bad” for him.

Dyer, 23, of Copse Lane, was stopped by police driving along the A303 when he was found in possession of the class B drug and told the court he was using it to self-medicate for his depression.

He pleaded guilty to being in possession of a quantity of cannabis on the A303 at South Petherton on October 20 when he appeared before Somerset Magistrates at Yeovil.

Prosecutor Ben Winzar said that Dyer was seen driving a vehicle along the A303 and was stopped by police at the Esso Garage at South Petherton.

When a search was carried out officers discovered a total of 15g of cannabis and the defendant was arrested.

Defending solicitor Neil Priest said that Dyer admitted he had a problem with using cannabis and was taking it to help with a depressive illness.

“He bought the cannabis in bulk from a friend and has not been able to work for a while and this is his first appearance before an adult court,” he said.

Dyer said that his girlfriend had left him about a year ago and his life had “pretty much exploded” and he became depressed.

Chairman of the bench, Mr Collingwood, said: “If you come back to court again on a similar charge I will recognise you and it will turn bad then.

“You deserve a good slap on the back of the legs.”

Dyer was fined £100 and ordered to pay £40 towards costs and a £30 victim surcharge. A destruction order was also made for the cannabis.