The Supreme Court trial of a Pembroke man charged with having a $3 cannabis spliff was halted Monday after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

Assistant Justice Archibald Warner said Perry Mosley Puckerin, 48, of Footbridge Lane, St. Monica's Road, had the right to elect jury trial but pointed out it burdened the courts and tied up jurors struggling with hurricane problems.

The jury was selected on Wednesday and the court sat again on Thursday before resuming yesterday when only 11 jurors turned up.

Puckerin then changed his plea to guilty.

Mr. Warner said it was only one spliff containing 0.2 grams of cannabis which had been found in the defendant's bedroom which other occupants used.

He said such charges were usually dealt with in Magistrates' Court where a $200 fine was typical.

However he gave Puckerin a conditional discharge which will be held over for three months.