A man caught with cannabis in the Mid Atlantic Boat Club told Magistrates' Court he knew he made a bad choice.

Shejuan White, 39, from Paget, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis in an increased penalty zone.

Crown counsel Auralee Cassidy told the court that on July 23, Police officers entered the boat club and immediately saw several people run in various directions.

During a search, a drug-sniffing dog indicated towards the front of White's pants. A search of his pockets revealed a clear plastic wrap containing 5.43 grams of cannabis.

On Thursday, White told the court that he had been going through a difficult period and had been homeless until recently.

"I'm working hard, I help a lot of people, I do a lot of good," he said.

"Practically all my life I've struggled and I'm trying to go forward now."

Magistrate Juan Wolffe told White: "We all go through things. We don't all pick up drugs or a bottle. That's your choice."

White agreed, saying: "It's a bad choice."

Mr. Wolffe sentenced White to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, telling him to stay clean if he wanted to stay out of prison.

"All these words you said don't mean anything to me," Mr. Wolffe said. "Actions mean something."