man $750 in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Marvin E. Bean (aka Stovell), of Seagull Lane, pleaded guilty to possessing 13.5 grams of cannabis on December 22.

Police on patrol at Court Street just after 4.30 a.m. that day saw Bean with three other men.

Sgt. Earl Kirby, prosecuting, said Bean looked suspicious and Police searched him.

A plastic bag containing cannabis was found in his rear pants pocket, he said.

But duty counsel Mr. Archie Warner said Bean did not know he was carrying cannabis.

"He was on his way home from a lady's house when a man he knew gave him the package and wished him a Merry Christmas,'' he said.

"When Police found it in his pocket he readily admitted where it came from.'' Mr. Warner said despite Bean's previous convictions for similar offences, Bean wanted the court to know he no longer uses marijuana.

"It's nice to have a friend give a $350 Christmas present,'' Magistrate the Wor. John Judge said before fining Bean.

"Since it was very far from your last conviction,'' he added, "I will only fine you $750 or 75 days in prison in default.''