A PENARTH man pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug when he appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court recently - and that saved him having to carry out 20 hours of unpaid community service.

Ben Marks, 27, of Cardigan House, Salisbury Close, admitted being in possession of a quantity of cannabis when searched at Lapwing Close in the town on April 8 this year.

He would have normally been ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, but 20 were knocked off because of the guilty plea.

Marks also has to pay a victim surcharge of £90 and court costs of £85 and he must attend rehabilitation activity supervised by the probation service.