A SOLICITOR hit out at the amount of police time he claimed was spent on a woman found with cannabis when more serious crimes were being committed.

Geoff Ireland made his comments at Burnley Magistrates Court after Susan Greenwood, 29, admitted possessing cannabis bush.

Greenwood, of Smith Street, Nelson, was given a 12 months conditional discharge, with £50 costs.

The bench said despite Mr Ireland's views, possession was still an offence, though bush was not nearly as serious as cannabis resin.

Mr Ireland told the court in some parts of the country, people did not get arrested for possessing cannabis. He was not a fan of the drug and conceeded it was still illegal.

He said three police officers had spent a lot of time taking statements and dealing with the case and he "despaired" when "much more serious things are happening out there."

The solicitor said he had expressed concern why Greenwood had not been cautioned. She had convictions for minor shoplifting to fund her drink problem but none for drug offences.

Mr Ireland said he had been told it was entirely at the discretion of the custody sergeant if a person was going to get a caution. In Greenwood's case the officer in charge decided he was not going to caution her.