Edward Craig Forde, of Young Street, Grenfell, failed to appear before the court charged with possession of a prohibited drug.

The matter was dealt with in his absence.

According to police facts, around 9.50pm on April 19, 2021, police sighted Forde leaving a known address on Victor Street, Cowra.

As Forde left the address he looked directly at police who were in a fully marked police vehicle.

Police then observed Forde run from the front yard of the address and along Logan Street.

Police proceeded after Forde and pulled their vehicle alongside him to speak to him.

Due to Forde's mannerisms and his behaviour prior and whilst spoken to, police suspected he may be in the possession of illegal drugs.

Police informed Forde he would be searched and he became irate and aggressive.

He was detained, handcuffed, again informed he would be searched and asked whether he had any drugs on him.

He informed police he had cannabis in his jacket's left top pocket.

Police located the cannabis wrapped in aluminum foil.

Forde told police: "It's mine and it's for medical use. It's cannabis and it's 2.5 grams, I paid $50 for it."

Forde was cautioned and allowed to leave following the search.

In sentencing, Magistrate Moody said Forde had a limited prior history, having been convicted for the same offence in October 2020 with no penalty.

Ms Moody said while it was a small amount of cannabis, Forde had already had the benefit of of a conviction with no penalty and a fine was appropriate.