A Sicilian man today was fined €1,000 and given a suspended one-year jail term after he admitted to importing a small amount of cannabis grass for his own personal use.

Antonio Andolfo, 47, from Catania, was charged before magistrate Francesco Depasquale, accused of possession of cannabis and with importing the drug. He was also charged with being a relapser, having been convicted of transporting a stolen BMW into Malta in 2013.

Andolfo admitted to the charges, saying the cannabis was solely for his personal use. Police Inspector Gabriel Micallef told the court that this version of events was consistent with the small amount of cannabis found.

The court jailed the man for one year, suspended for four years, and fined him €1,000 to be paid over 10 months.

Lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace appeared for the accused.