A FORMER heroin addict has had £400 wiped off a hefty fines tally in recognition of the changes he has made to his lifestyle.

Robert Caine, 35, of Hall Lane Estate, Willington, appeared before Sedgefield magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday charged with possession of a small amount of cannabis.

The court was told that police found 2.9 grams of cannabis, worth up to £7.50, when officers searched Caine in Spennymoor on February 14.

Andrew Clinton, speaking for Caine, said that his client admitted the offence.

He said: "He is somebody who used to have a heroin addiction, but his offending has calmed down to a great degree. He would tell the court today that he does use cannabis on a regular basis."

Mr Clinton said: "He is somebody who is well-known to the police and who they have prosecuted on this occasion mainly because of his background."

Magistrates said they would give Caine a chance to prove his offending was behind him and this offence was "a silly blip". He was given a six- month conditional discharge and magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

When magistrates heard Caine owed £700 in compensation, costs and fines they remitted £400 of it, leaving £300 to be paid off.