A Tenby tradesman who was reported to be unresponsive in his flat by a passer-by has been fined in court for cannabis possession.

Thirty-six-year-old Mark Skyrme, of Warren Street, pleaded guilty to possessing 1.3 grams of cannabis, when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Abdul Hussain told magistrates that police officers attended Mr. Skyrme’s address on August 30, after a member of the public had expressed their concern about his condition.

“The person heard loud music coming down from the defendant’s flat and the front door was open. They checked to see if everything was all right as they were concerned, and Mr. Skyrme was found lying flat on his bed, and not responding to calls,” he said.

Police officers attended to check on Mr Skyrme’s welfare and whilst there found a quantity of cannabis in his lounge, which he was arrested for and charged.

In a police interview, Mr. Skyrme, who was in breach of a conditional discharge for a similar offence of cannabis possession, told officers that it was for his own personal use.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that his client had a ‘little bit too much’ to drink that day and fell asleep on his bed.

“It’s very much a case of ‘what ifs’. What if he hadn’t fallen asleep on his bed, what if he had turned his music down, what if his front door had been shut? He was not doing any harm, he was simply asleep with his music playing,” he explained.

“I suppose we should be grateful that there was a member of the public who was concerned, if it had turned out that there had been something wrong,” continued Mr. Kelleher, stating that Mr. Skyrme was a carpenter by trade who takes cannabis to relieve pain from a back condition.

Magistrates fined Mr. Skyrme £265 for the offence and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £30 victim surcharge. A destruction order for the cannabis was also made.