for drug offences -- despite a plea from the dock for tolerance of his religious beliefs.

Magistrates' Court heard on Tuesday that Stephen Talbot, 39, was caught with a total of 1.54 grams of cannabis after Police raided his home.

Magistrate Cheryl Ann Mapp told Talbot: "If your religious beliefs conflict with the laws of society, you will be prosecuted.'' Talbot, of St. John's Road, Pembroke, admitted having a cannabis seed, cannabis and drug equipment at his home on September 3 last year.

But he told Mrs. Mapp that he thought Bermuda was a Christian country. And he said: "God made the grass seed and he made the herb seed and saw it was good.

"I don't think I should be raked over the coals for something which God saw was good.'' Mrs. Mapp said: "The particular seed and the particular herb is something which society has demanded should not be used in this particular manner....if you wish to use it, go somewhere where it's legal.'' Peter Farge, representing Talbot, told the court that his client had been caught with a very small amount of the drug and that he had won a medal for bravery several years ago.

He added: "He won a medal for courage saving a family for fire -- he showed great courage.'' But Mrs. Mapp told Talbot: "You are certainly to be commended for your bravery -- but relating to this, you are not making any positive contribution to the community.''