A FATHER 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 in a car which was searched after a sergeant returning to Seaham police station decided to carry out a spot-check.

Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard that the officer found cannabis and challenged the three people inside the car.

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 he saw a plastic bag in the footwell.

“Mr Horner accepted immediately that the drugs were his and he had bought a 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: “The cannabis was to chill out on holiday. He was going away 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 with two children and is also the main carer for his partner.

Magistrates, who heard that Horner receives 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.