The Court of Criminal Appeal has reduced the punishment of a man who had been jailed for a month and fined Lm100 for possession of cannabis.

The court ruled that John Gerada be put on probation for three years and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of voluntary work, after he was acquitted of possessing 39 grams of cannabis with the intent to sell.

Gerada was found guilty of simple possession after the court, presided over by Mr Justice David Scicluna, heard that he was an addict when he was found in possession of the drug.

Dr Franco Debono and Dr Charmaine Cherrett appeared for the man.