A WHITEHAVEN man has been fined £120 for possession of a mixture of drugs.

Wayne Mcculloch, 39, of Seven Acres, Parton pleaded guilty to possessing class B and C drugs in a hearing at North and West Cumbria Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The drugs, Xanax, cannabis, Subutex and Pregablin, were found following the execution of a drug warrant at Mcculloch's home on August 27.

In mitigation, Ian Nancollis said that Mcculloch came to be in possession of the Xanax tablets when he took them from a man outside the Unity Substance Misuse Service, believing the man was in danger of an overdose.

Mcculloch said that the cannabis found in his possession was to help him sleep as he has long standing back and knee pain.

The court also heard that Mcculloch is a heroine addict and uses other substances purchased on the street to deal with his pain.

Mr Nancollis told magistrates that Mcculoch's GP was reluctant to prescribe pain medication to the defendant due to his addiction.

He added: "He is in contact with Unity, he is hoping to be prescribed Methadone to deal with his pain and addiction."

Keith Southward, chairman of the magistrates, handed him a fine of £120, he will also pay a £32 victim surcharge and costs of £85.