Sunderland had cannabis hidden in Kinder Eggs

Anthony McMahon, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession with intent to supply when he appeared before Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

Lorna Rimell, prosecuting, said on November 1 last year police saw McMahon being handed something through a fence by another man, which they thought looked unusual.

She said they searched him and found a large bag of cannabis bush, which he said was for his cousin.

Ms Rimell said the officers searched his home and found other cannabis items including foil wraps and the drug inside Kinder Eggs.

She said McMahon, of Brandon Street, Downhill, has no previous convictions.

Jason Smith, defending, said: “He acknowledges and accepts he is a young man who has had a cannabis problem.

“He is, or certainly was, a very heavy cannabis user.

“His cousin has contacted him and asked if he could get him some. He went to his dealer and got some for his cousin.”

Mr Smith said when the police saw him being passed the drug he was not a dealer at this point, but a customer and he was going to pass it on to his cousin.

He said: “He is not making any profit, it is not for gain, he is doing his cousin a favour.”

A spokesman for the probation service said McMahon started using cannabis at a very young age following the loss of his father at the age of ten.

He said being arrested has had a profound effect on the young man who has never been involved with the criminal justice system before and as a result he has stopped using the drug.

The officer said: “It has served as a big wake up call for him.

“The arrest has been a blessing in disguise. He wants to turn his life around and make his mother proud. He wants to go back to college.”

McMahon was given a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £90 surcharge.