STEVEN Stuart Charnock did a quick about turn when he turned a corner and saw police officers dealing with another matter.

Blackburn magistrates heard the officers' suspicions were aroused and when they caught up with him they found Charnock was carrying a cannabis plant.

They later discovered three quarters of an ounce of the drug in his pocket.

Charnock, 21, of Rothesay Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis. He was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £65 costs.

Charnock told police he had bought the plant for £5 from a neighbour and the cannabis from a dealer he refused to name. Clare Knight, defending, said the drugs were purely for her client's own use.