A FORMER Carlisle man prosecuted for cannabis possession asked the judge dealing with his case: "Can I have my drugs back?”

That was the cheeky question fired at District Judge John Temperley today as he passed sentence on 38-year-old Paul Gillan at the city's Rickergate Magistrates Court.

Appearing via a video link, Gillan listened as a prosecutor outlined how police found the Class B drug On June 7 last year when officers visited him at an address in Carlisle during enquiries about another matter.

The defendant appeared via a video link because he is currently a serving prisoner at HMP Northumberland, having been convicted of a separate offence.

After hearing the details of the cannabis possession, the judge imposed a six-month conditional discharge for the possession charge. After being told that his cannabis would now be forfeited, Gillian asked: "Does that mean I won’t be getting the drugs back.”

The judge again told him that having the drug was against the law.