A DEFENDANT who told officers he found cannabis in a police van after he was arrested for racial abuse escaped with a fine, despite already serving a suspended sentence.

Confusion arose at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after Byron Blackman, 21, was ordered to pay £527 for possessing a class B drug and causing racially aggravated harassment.

He admitted the offences.

Officials did not realise Blackman had received a suspended sentence in January for supplying a class B drug until after he left the court.

Blackman, of Pembroke Road, Ilford, was in court after an incident in Highwoods on March, 3, when police were called to Regents Close to arrest him for criminal damage.

Court – Byron Blackman appeared before magistrates on Tuesday when he admitted two offencesCourt – Byron Blackman appeared before magistrates on Tuesday when he admitted two offences (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

An officer drew his Taser because Blackman continued to resist arrest and the defendant was taken to the ground.

Blackman then racially abused PC Nicholas Skamballis.

The defendant claimed he found a bag of cannabis after being put in the back of a police van.

Officers searched him at Colchester police station and found the bag in his jacket pocket.

Asked why he didn’t tell the police about it, he said: “It’s not my job to do that.”

Blackman was shown body-worn footage of him racially abusing the police officer, but “did not appear apologetic”, the court heard.

When asked about the incident, Blackman, who was unrepresented in court, argued police did not have grounds to arrest him.

He said: “Regards what I said, I did say that."

Asked by magistrates how much money he was earning, Blackman said: “I was working but have been made homeless since.”

Arrest – Byron Blackman claimed he found a bag of cannabis in the back of a police van, but told police it wasn't his job for him to hand it inArrest – Byron Blackman claimed he found a bag of cannabis in the back of a police van, but told police it wasn't his job for him to hand it in (Image: Pexels)

Magistrates fined Blackman £200 for racially aggravated harassment and ordered him to pay £50 in compensation to PC Skamballis.

Further costs of £277 were also imposed and Blackman was released, only for it to become apparent he was serving a suspended sentence.

There was also confusion when the legal adviser realised the date of birth Blackman gave the court did not match court papers.

“He will now have to be called back,” legal adviser Alison Ball said.