A CANNABIS user who has taken the drug since he was 13 was found with a package of the substance between his buttocks, a court heard.

Unemployed George Robert Hall, 20, had already handed one envelope containing the drug to police before two more were found during a search, Darlington Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said the police had been called to the Inside Out nightclub, in Beaumont Street, Darlington, on January 11.

When officers approached a van parked outside, they spoke to Hall and noticed the vehicle smelled strongly of cannabis. He was taken to the police station.

On the way, Hall handed an officer an envelope containing about £10-worth of cannabis.

He was searched at the station and two more envelopes were found, one between his buttocks. Both contained a similar amount of the drug.

He told police he had bought the bags for personal use.

Mr Maddison added that Hall had no previous convictions, but at the time of the incident had been on bail following an investigation into possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Stephen Andrews, mitigating, said Hall was seeking help from his GP to address his use of the drug, which he had smoked on and off for seven years.

He said his client had lost his job and was anxious to stop using the drug as he was struggling to afford it.

"He doesn't want to fall into future criminal activity to finance the habit, " added Mr Andrews.

Hall, of Hundens Lane, Darlington, pleaded guilty to possessing 5.6g of cannabis. Magistrates fined him £65, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, and ordered the destruction of the drugs.