Despite claims of racism when he was arrested, a 25-year-old Southampton man was fined for cannabis possession in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Cannoth William Roberts of Middle Road pleaded guilty before Magistrate Will Francis to possession of cannabis.

Crown counsel Anthony Blackman told the court that on August 17, 2001 Roberts was stopped by the Police on Church Street. Officers noticed a "homemade cigarette" behind the man's ear and conducted a search, under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He was taken to the Hamilton Police Station where a full search was conducted. During the search a small white paper twist was found in his right pants leg. The twist was later determined by the Government Analyst to be 0.45 grams of cannabis.

According to the Police report, Roberts said, "you just want to keep a black man down", following the discovery.

Roberts told Mr. Francis: "I have been clean from drugs for about a year now. I realise I let my ignorance dominate me."

Mr. Francis fined the man $150 or ten days in jail.