Two would-be students were each given a conditional discharge in Magistrates' Court yesterday after they were both caught with cannabis in separate incidents.

Craig Bean-Hall, 21, from Sandys, and Asim Ming, 20, from Devonshire, both pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled substance.

According to Crown counsel Carrington Mahoney, Bean-Hall was arrested at the junction of Middle Road and South Road in Southampton on May 14.

Police pulled over Bean-Hall in connection with another matter, but when they approached him they noticed him reach into his right pocket and drop a small plastic bag on the ground. It was later revealed to contain 0.82 grams of cannabis.

In court, Bean-Hall said carrying the drugs was a mistake, and that he was hoping to go to school in January. "I wasn't thinking," he said.

Magistrate Juan Wolffe released Bean-Hall on 12 months conditional discharge, telling him: "You should think about the consequences first."

Minutes later, Asim Ming also told the courts he was intending to return to school.

According to Mr. Mahoney, Police acting on information approached Ming, who was sitting in a parked car in a St. George's parking lot.

In the door of the car, Police found a cigar, which was later revealed to contain 0.38 grams of cannabis.

Speaking in court, Ming told Mr. Wolffe that he wanted to go to Virginia to study, and possibly live. "I can't stand all the crime here," he said. "I had been away before, but I didn't like the course."

Mr. Wolffe released Ming on 12 months conditional discharge, advising him to keep his record clean if he wants to leave the Island.