A 19-year-old has “divorced himself” from past friends in a bid to kick his drug habit.
Samuel Goodenough, of Lynn Road in Setchey, was walking along Leete Way in West Winch on March 18 when he was stopped by the police.
He had been spotted with a small snap bag and was seen smoking while walking along the A10, and was subjected to a search.
Officers uncovered 2.35g of cannabis, leading to his arrest. He admitted to smoking it in a subsequent interview, but refused to reveal where he had purchased the drugs.
Goodenough appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug.
Mitigating, duty solicitor George Sorrell said: “It is a first conviction - I think it is important to emphasise that. This is the first time he has been to court.
“Recently, within the last year or so, Samuel was diagnosed with ADHD and autism. His parents have come to court today to support him - he is apprehensive about the proceedings.”
Mr Sorrell handed magistrates a written letter outlining some of the reasons Goodenough “struggles with decision making”.
The solicitor added: “I think above all, he has explained to me without any help that he has seen a road forward by avoiding these people whose company he has kept, who he has come to realise won’t change their ways.
“So he has changed his ways by divorcing himself from them and choosing another path.
“That has allowed him to get rid of this drug habit before it becomes a real habit - his character.
“I don’t think I can add anything to that, other than that he is very remorseful.”
Magistrates handed Goodenough a 12-month conditional discharge, while he will also pay £50 in court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.
An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.