years argued that the Bible justified smoking marijuana.

Marlon Rewan, 21, of St. Mary's Road, ran away from patrolling Police when they turned into the entrance of PHC sports club after 10.30 p.m. on March 20.

Rewan jumped onto the roof of the sports club but was caught by Police when he later came down to the sports field.

While searching him, officers found a paper twist with plant material in it.

The cannabis weighed in at 0.21 grams.

Yesterday Rewan -- who works part-time at the Southampton Princess -- told Magistrate Edward King: "I smoke marijuana -- it's not like I sell it.'' And he added that marijuana was justified in the Bible even though it was illegal.

Mr. King replied: "Thou shalt not smoke, sell or import marijuana because until they legalise it, you will get burnt every time.''.

He also told Rewan that he could send him to prison especially since he had been caught in a special penalty zone besides a sports club and close to Montessori Academy.

Rewan replied: "Prison really doesn't do anything for you. You get out and can't ever get a job.

"That is what's supposed to happen. You have to live with the consequences,'' Mr. King said.

"If you want to smoke marijuana, keep smoking it. It alters your brain and if you doubt that, go and ask Bob Marley.'' He fined Rewan $250 plus an additional $1,000 for being in a penalty zone.

Rewan was also given a two-year suspended prison sentence.