A Narberth man recommended smoking cannabis to magistrates this week as an alternative to relieving aches and pains.

Appearing before the court sitting in Tenby on Tuesday, James Richard Price also questioned the bench's opinion of the way cannabis was seen in the eyes of justice and asked the magistrates to send out a clear message to the people of Pembrokeshire about their views.

Sixty-one-year-old Price came before the court after he was arrested by police following the execution of a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at his home, Ty Newydd, Mill Lane, just before 11 am on November 8.

Officers spoke to the defendant, before a systematic search was carried out, which revealed quantities of cannabis leaf contained in various containers in different rooms of the property, crown prosecutor, Mr. Tim Roberts, told the court.

Price was subsequently arrested and when cautioned made no reply.

Some 80 grammes of cannabis was seized and when analysed this was valued at £180.

During a four-minute interview, Price said he had bought the cannabis leaf in Somerset for his own use, but declined to say who he had purchased it from.

Representing himself, Price told the court that he did not wish to question anything said by the prosecution, but he wanted to make a few points clear.

He told the bench that Pembrokeshire police and he did not have a 'vendetta'; in fact, he had become 'quite fond' of one or two of the officers.

When the police attended at his property the week before last, it was the fifth time he had been 'raided', he claimed.

"I am an alcoholic," he continued. "A couple of bottles of whisky does not do me any good, but a smoke of cannabis in the evening and sometimes in the day helps me relax considerably."

Further to that, he pointed out that he was under medical supervision and they were 'quite happy' for him to smoke cannabis.

However, he said that, like the whole country, he was confused as to the position of whether cannabis was to be legalised or not, and he asked the bench to send out a message locally whether they were 'either interested in the letter of the law' or 'interested in socialism'.

Price said that he enjoyed smoking cannabis in his own home to relieve aches and pains.

"I thoroughly recommend it to the bench," he said, adding it was an 'excellent form of medicine'.

"The police knew they would find cannabis as I have informed them I smoke it at home and will continue to do so, and if they think I am worth a sixth visit, well that is out of my power," he continued.

After addressing the bench, Price was informed by the court clerk that the government were not in fact considering legalising cannabis, but downgrading it to a Class C drug.

Price was initially not going to enter a plea, but was advised by the clerk that if he did not, a not guilty plea would have to be entered by the court and if found guilty he could incur the costs of the case.

After having his case adjourned for a shortwhile for him to consider his position, he pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug and was fined £100 for the offence.

He was also ordered to pay £50 costs and a destruction order was made for the drugs.