A CANNABIS smoker was caught with drugs after smoke "filled the cab" of a passing police van.

Adam Phillips admitted possessing cannabis when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Phillips had been walking along the A44 in Leominster when police drove past him and smelled cannabis at around 11am on February 8, prosecutor Mark Hambling said.

Officers decided to stop and search the 27-year-old, who has previous drug-related convictions, finding a small bag of cannabis bud and a half-smoked spliff.

Phillip Cornell, for Phillips, said it was quite a simple matter involving a very small amount of cannabis.

"This could be far worse," Mr Cornell said.

"The police know him and he sticks out a mile when he walks along the pavement. They said there was a strong smell of cannabis that filled the police van because the fan was on, but don't tell me he was stopped because the police could smell cannabis."

The court heard Phillips is currently being supported by Addaction.

Phillips, who is of no fixed address, was handed a six-month conditional discharge. He must pay costs of £135 and a £22 victim surcharge.