A MAN who was arrested in Chard for a suspected offence of criminal damage produced a packet of green vegetable matter from his boxer shorts when searched by the police.

Homeless Matthew Scriven confessed it belonged to him and was for his own personal use and was then charged.

The 20-year-old defendant, of no fixed address, appeared in the dock before District Judge Rose, sitting at Yeovil.

He admitted a charge that on March 8 at Chard he was in possession of a quantity of cannabis (class B).

Christine Hart, prosecuting, said that the defendant was arrested for an alleged offence of criminal damage, although that matter had now been discontinued.

“However during his arrest the officer could smell cannabis and he said he had something on him,” she said.

“When he was taken into custody he produced some vegetable matter from the rear of his boxer shorts and when it was analysed was found to be 1g of cannabis flowering head.”

Miss Hart said the amount of drugs was consistent with personal use by the defendant.

Defending solicitor Sam Morton said that Scriven admitted the offence straight away and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity before the court. He was also due to start work with an engineering firm next month.

The magistrates fined the defendant £50 along with a £20 victim surcharge and £40 towards costs. They also made a destruction order for the cannabis.