POLICE found cannabis in a man's underpants.

Coulton John Riglar admitted that he possessed cannabis for personal use when he appeared before South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

Magistrates were told the 28-year-old Barrow man was a passenger in a car that was stopped by police.

Officers later noticed a 'strong' smell of the class B coming from the car when they stopped it near Hincaster.

The incident happened on October 12.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre described the incident.

He told magistrates: "On October 12 at around 11pm the defendant a passenger in a vehicle stopped on the A591 near Hincaster.

"Police noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle and a joint was found on the defendant.

"He admitted being in possession of cannabis that was in his underwear. Further cannabis worth £80 for personal use was recovered."

The court heard the defendant had a criminal record stretching to 22 previous offences.

He was convicted of drug driving in September after he drove on Emlyn Street in Barrow with cannabis in his system.

The court banned him from driving for a year after he was found guilty of the offence following a trial.

Michael Graham, defending, stressed that Riglar had worked with the police during their investigations.

He said: "It's a fairly straightforward uncomplicated incident.

"He was fully cooperative throughout.

"He's been nothing but cooperative throughout the investigation."

Mr Graham said Riglar usually worked offshore but was 'between contracts'.

Magistrates handed down a fine of £80 for the offence to Riglar, of Liverpool Street.