A man who claimed that it was difficult circumstances which resulted in him having 4lb (1.82 kilograms) of ganja in his possession was fined and sentenced to 12 months in prison when he appeared in court yesterday.

Ricardo Brown, of a Corporate Area address appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer charges of possession of ganja, dealing in ganja and taking steps to export ganja.

Brown pleaded guilty with explanation for all the offences except for the dealing in ganja. He pleaded not guilty to that offence.

Brown pleaded with Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey for leniency, stating that it was due to unfortunate circumstances why he ended up in his predicament.

"My son is sickly and I recently lost my job and I was trying to make ends meet to take care of my family," he said.

When asked by RM Pusey why he shouldn't go to prison for the offences he responded, "If I go to prison, my girlfriend and son's mother is not employed, I am a law abiding citizen, I am not a troublemaker and this is my first time appearing before the court."

RM Pusey replied "I'm sorry about your family but you're going to have to spend some time with Her Majesty."

Brown was fined $6,700 or six months for the possession of ganja; $13,400 or six months for the dealing in ganja; $33,500 or six months for the taking steps preparatory to export ganja. He is also to spend 12 months in prison.