A PRESTWICH man could not understand why he was being arrested for possessing cannabis, a court was told.

Clifford Shuker thought he could legally have the drug for his own use and did not realise it had only been reclassified, Rochdale magistrates heard.

Shuker had been stopped by a policewoman in Kirkstall Avenue, Heywood, and handed over some cannabis resin voluntarily before being searched.

Shuker, aged 28, of Polefield Crescent, Prestwich, admitted being in possession of a Class C drug which was recently reclassified from being Class B.

David Hewitt, defending, said: "Shuker believed that meant he could possess it legally for his own use."

He also admitted having a record which included possession of drugs.The magistrates fined him £50.