A 31-year-old Ammanford man who starts his day with a spoonful of amphetamine in his morning cuppa has appeared before magistrates to admit drug possession.

Mark Leslie Richard Griffith, of 128 Saron Road, told Llanelli court that he sprinkles around three grammes of the Class B drug in his morning tea each day.

Magistrates were told how officers spotted Griffith, who has a long history of drug offences, walking through Ammanford park at 2.10pm on December 12, 2012.

Gerald Neave, prosecuting, said that when he spotted the police, Griffith made off and the officers gave chase.

In interview, Griffith said: “I was walking in the Rec and saw the police.

“They came after me and I started to run, but then I thought ‘Oh, what’s the point?” so I stopped.”

A search showed he was carrying 17.73 grammes of amphetamine separated into four plastic bags. He was also found to be carrying 5.5 grammes of cannabis.

Griffith told police he bought the drug in large quantities and then split it into three to four-gramme bags to monitor his use.

“He said he takes one wrap per day which he drops into his cup of tea,” Mr Neave told the court.

Defence solicitor Kate Williams told magistrates that the offence had occurred the day before Griffith had received a 16-week jail term for drugs possession.

She told the court that while the quantity of the drug appeared quite large, it was for Griffith’s own use.

Taking into account Griffith’s prison sentence they agreed to grant him a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Griffith pleaded guilty to possession of amphetamine and possession of cannabis.

He was ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £15 legal surcharge.