An expecting father received a conditional discharge for drug possession after he told a Magistrate he did not want to be on the stop list.

Kiwadme Roberts was charged with possession of cannabis on Court Street on November 4, when he appeared in Magistrates' Court. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The Court heard officers were on patrol at 1.20 a.m. conducting a weapons operation when they saw Roberts leaving a vehicle.

Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court the 29-year-old was approached by the officers who asked him if he had any weapons on him.

Roberts, of Devonshire, said 'no' but was still searched. Officers found a clear plastic zip-loc bag with plant-like material inside.

The defendant told the officers that it was "just a little weed", before being arrested.

Asked by Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner if he had anything to say, Roberts said: "I committed an offence and I'm sorry."

Mr. Warner asked why he was "begging" the officers to let him go. The defendant said: "Because it was just a little weed. I smoke herb and I wasn't causing any problems for anybody. I would like to keep flying. I don't want to go on the stop list."

The court heard from duty counsel Jaymo Durham that Roberts was expecting a child and his partner will be taking the child abroad when she goes to further her education.

"If he's not able to travel, then he wouldn't be able to maintain a relationship with the mother of the child and that child. He recognises that he was wrong, but given the court's attitude towards these offences, he is at the court's mercy and he's asking that the court will exercise discretion."

Roberts was given a conditional discharge for two years.