Ryan Aves caught with cannabis in Downham Market after ‘show-off’ friend damaged car

A 23-year-old was caught with cannabis after his “show-off” friend damaged his car and attracted the attention of the police.

Ryan Aves appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, pleading guilty to possession of the Class B drug.

On July 4 last year, he was being given a lift by a friend through Downham when police subjected them to a drug search.

Aves readily admitted to having a small quantity of cannabis in his personal bag, along with a grinder.

On July 23, he was subsequently handed a conditional caution. This required him to complete a cannabis awareness course and pay a £100 fine.

However, by the time his November 30 deadline came around, he had not done so. An extension until December brought about no action either, and he was therefore charged with the offence.

In court this week, duty solicitor Andrew Cogan said Aves had lost the letter detailing the conditional caution, leading to his failure to complete it.

“Some people, sometimes, are their own worst enemy,” Mr Cogan said.

“I have warned him that a fine is almost inevitable.

“The situation is this - he was being given a lift by a friend who unfortunately decided that he would be a bit of a show-off and damaged his car.

“Police stopped him, and as soon as he was invited to say where the smell of cannabis was coming from, he (Aves) pointed to his bag.”

Mr Cogan said that the only cannabis left in the bag could be compared to “grains from a pepper grinder”, and described it as “immeasurable”.

“It is a tiny, tiny amount he has admitted to,” he added.

“His mistake is that he hasn’t completed the course.”

Magistrates handed Aves, of All Saints in Weeting, Suffolk, an £80 fine. He was also ordered to pay court costs of £70 and a £32 victim surcharge.

An order was also made for the drugs and the grinder to be forfeited and destroyed.