A DAD packed cannabis to take on a family holiday so he could “chill out” from the sound of screaming children, a court heard.

Wayne Horner was inside a car which was searched after a sergeant returning to Seaham Police Station decided to carry out a spot-check.

Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard the officer found cannabis and challenged the three people inside, with Horner admitted the drugs were his.

Debra Jones, prosecuting, said: “The officer could smell what he believed was cannabis and there was cannabis in the vehicle and saw a plastic bag in the footwell.

“Mr Horner accepted immediately that they were his and he had bought bit for £80 for personal use.

Horner, 34, from North Railway Street, Seaham, County Durham, admitted possession of a Class B drug on August 2.

Helen Adams, mitigating, said: “It was to chill out on holiday and he was going with a group including screaming children for a fortnight and needed something to relax.

“This was an isolated incident and he should get credit for his early guilty plea.”

She added, he was a “family man” and dad to two children and is also the carer for his partner.

The bench, who heard Horner, is on employment support allowance, fined him £73, reduced from £110 for his early guilty plea.

Horner was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.