A habitual cannabis user stopped by police while driving through Surbiton told police it was his bedroom drug.

Christopher Menelaou, 38, was pulled over in Hollyfield Road as part of a routine patrol on July 30.

Prosecuting at Kingston Magistrates’ Court, Paula O’Toole said: “They could smell cannabis in the car and carried out a search of all the occupants. The defendant had a small amount of cannabis in his pocket.

“He was interviewed and fully admitted the offence and confirmed it was just for his own personal use.”

Menalaou, who wore a Nike Just Do It T-shirt and jeans, said: “I explained to police it was my bedroom drug.

“I don’t even smoke cigarettes. I don’t even drink. I have always smoked cannabis. I have been prosecuted about 10 times for it.”

He said he was unemployed but did not claim any benefits because of a Catch 22 about not having an address. He also said he had lost accommodation because of rent arrears.

Magistrate Mrs Pritchard ordered him to pay £66 fine for possession of cannabis and a compulsory £15 surcharge, which goes into a fund for victims of crime, but said because he was unemployed they would let him off paying towards the costs of the prosecution.

Mr Menelaou, who gave a care-of address at Hedingham House in Royal Quarter in Kingston, will pay off the fine at £5 a week.

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