A ‘naive’ cannabis user left half an ounce of the drug on display while being interviewed by police as the victim of an alleged crime.

Officers found 14.84 grammes of cannabis on a coffee table after Daniel Willett invited them into his home on Sunday, September 9.

The 21-year-old, of Wherstead Road, Ipswich, asked for the offence to be overlooked because he was still serving the last 18 days of a suspended sentence for possession with intent to supply.

Prosecutor Tess Mann told Suffolk Magistrates’ Court: “The defendant invited officers in to give a statement after reporting a crime.

“While speaking, an officer noticed cannabis on a coffee table.

“The defendant said it was only a small amount and asked for it to be overlooked, as he was on a suspended sentence for another cannabis offence.

“The officer said he could not overlook it – and the defendant produced another amount of cannabis from a box on his bedside table.”

Willett received an 18-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, at Ipswich Crown Court on September 28, 2016, for possession with intent to supply drugs.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend rehabilitation activity days.

Dino Barricella, representing Willett, said: “It’s somewhat unfortunate that police had attended to take a statement for another matter.

“He doesn’t dispute making the comment. Perhaps it was naivety on his part to ask for it to be overlooked.

“He was totally co-operative and produced more cannabis, making full and frank admissions in interview and entering a prompt guilty plea at court.”

Mr Barricella argued it would be unjust for magistrates to return Willett to the crown court, where a judge would consider activating his suspended sentence.

“Given the circumstances and the progress he has made on the suspended sentence, I ask that the matter be dealt with today, by way of financial penalty for the cannabis possession and notification of the breach to the crown court,” he add.

Magistrates heard Willett had also completed all of the unpaid work and rehabilitation requirements of his sentence.

He was fined £150, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 statutory fee towards victims.