A Hamilton Parish man caught in possession of cannabis has been ordered to pay double the value of the drug.

Supreme Court heard Jamal Hart had nearly 25 grams in his house. Police estimated this had a street value of $1,225.

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister said officers searched the kitchen at Hart's Farm Lane home.

Inside the fridge was a plastic bottle containing a plant material twist. Also in the fridge was a zip-lock bag with plant material. Tests revealed the bottle had 4.58 grams of cannabis inside; the zip-lock bag contained 20.27 grams.

Hart, 37, admitted possession on July 19, 2003. He denied possession with intent to supply.

His lawyer, Shade Subair, said such possession cases were normally dealt with by magistrates and attracted fines of between $500 and $1,000.

Hart apologised to the court — and said he would not be back in court again.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves said the defendant was found with a relatively small quantity of cannabis. He fined Hart $2,500 and told him to pay it in one month or spend three months in jail.