A 32-year-old has been fined for possessing cocaine.

Nerijus Augonis, 32, of Danbury Way in Woodford Green, pleaded guilty to possessing the class A drug in Litchfield Avenue, Straford, earlier this month.

Appearing at Thames Magistrates Court yesterday, he admitted to the offence through a Lithuanian interpreter.

Prosecutor Karen Phillips told the court that officers had seen Augonis acting suspiciously in Litchfield Avenue on November 7.

He was searched and found with a plastic bag containing cocaine.

He was arrested and another bag of cocaine was found in his pocket.

Augonis admitted the drugs were for personal use.

Sentencing, Judge Jane McIvor said: “I will take into account that this is your first conviction, but you were given a caution in September and you have been caught again."

Speaking through an interpreter, Augonis said: “I am really sorry, I bought the drugs for occasional use and I don’t believe I have a drug problem, but I admit it was a big mistake.”

Augonis was fined £250 with a £25 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £85 court costs.