The father of a teenager charged with murder was caught in possession of a quantity of cannabis because he couldn't cope with his son's ordeal, a court heard.

Norman Gubb, 43, of Greenview in Canvey, admitted possessing 37.42g of the Class B drug when he appeared before magistrates in Southend on Friday.

His son James, 18, is due to stand trial at Chelmsford Crown Court next month accused of murdering 18-year-old Tony Mahoney outside the Kings Holiday Park in Canvey on September 26.

Stipendiary magistrate Kevin Gray sentenced Gubb snr to a 12 month conditional discharge for the drugs offence.

Mark Lakin, prosecuting, said police had discovered the drugs on a visit to Gubb's house on October 7.

He said: "They were in the lounge when they saw him put something down his trousers. It turned out to be the drugs, later found to be worth about £150."

Mr Peter Kennedy, defending, said the drugs were for Gubb's personal use only.

He said: "He bought the drugs because he had trouble sleeping as his son is appearing on a murder charge.

"Since that time Mr Gubb has found living a normal life impossible so he did the student thing.

"He bought some drugs to try to help him sleep."

He told the court that Mr Gubb had collapsed temporarily when police arrested him.

He said: "He is not through the mill yet. He is still weathering the storm.

"But he has taken control of his life.

"He has gone to his doctor. His problems are not over but he knows what he has to do to get through them."

Gubb was ordered to pay £100 costs. An order to forfeit the drugs was also made.

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