A British man who was caught in possession of an amount of cannabis and ecstasy pills told police during his interrogation that he did not intend trafficking the illegal substances but needed them because he suffered from depression.

Testifying in court yesterday, Police Inspector Victor Aquilina told Magistrate Miriam Hayman that when he was arrested, Steven Charles Bartram, a 50-year-old British man, insisted that he took drugs because he suffered from depression.

Inspector Aquilina said Mr Bartram was caught in possession of cannabis and 134 ecstasy pills in his car on 26 March at the Sea Port.

The police inspector said that Mr Bartram admitted that the drugs were his but always said that he needed them for personal reasons.

The case continues.

Police Inspector Victor Aquilina prosecuted while Dr Joseph Giglio and Dr Robert Abela appeared for the man.