South Shields man caught smoking cannabis in McDonald's car park after staff reported suspicious behaviour
Staff at the fast-food restaurant called police when they saw Gary Tiffin acting suspiciously.
Tiffin had a cannabis joint in his coat pocket, South Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard.
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Hide Ad"Police approached his car on arrival at the car park," said Oriana Frame, prosecuting.
"There was a strong smell of cannabis.
"Tiffin was searched, and a cannabis joint was found in a plastic tube in his coat pocket.
"He told police he had acquired the joint during a recent trip to Amsterdam."
Tiffin, 27, of Coleman Avenue, South Shields, admitted possession of a class B drug on April 2.
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Hide AdMs Frame said his previous convictions include three offences of possessing cannabis.
Tracey Wood, defending, said: "Mt Tiffin was frank with the police, admitting what he had done at the scene.
"He had gone to a private car park to smoke a joint of cannabis in his car.
"Mr Tiffin tells me he is not an habitual user, but sometimes uses it when things get on top of him.
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Hide Ad"He lives with his partner, she works but he does not, although he does have an appeal pending with the benefits people.
"The previous convictions are of a similar nature, possession of a small amount of cannabis for his own use."
The bench ordered Tiffin to pay £195 in fines and costs.
The cannabis joint was confiscated and will be destroyed.