A-23-year-old man was yesterday fined €1,164.69 (Lm499.86) after he was found guilty of possessing nine packets of heroin.

Adrian Axiaq of Żabbar was originally charged with possessing heroin in circumstances that denote it was not for his personal use and committing a crime within 100 metres of an establishment frequented by minors.

The court presided over by Magistrate Lawrence Quintano heard Mr Axiaq testify that on the day in question he had gone to buy drugs from Ħamrun.

That day he bought €174.75 (Lm75) worth of heroin, packed in 10 sachets. He added that he consumed one sachet before leaving the place where he bought the drug from.

Questioned by the police on how much he would consume, he said one gram would last for three days and that he had been saving up for some time to buy the 10 packets.

Testifying, probation officer Mary Anne Zammit said Mr Axiaq had made considerable progress in his effort to stop abusing drugs.

Taking the witness stand, Rebecca Aquilina, the girlfriend of the accused said he had since reformed himself, had a stable job and they had bought a house together.

After taking into account the testimony of the accused, the court said the prosecution did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the drugs found were, in fact, not for his personal use and found him guilty of simple possession.

The court found him not guilty of possessing the drug near a place frequented by minors because this would only apply if he was found guilty of the intent to traffick the drug.

Police Inspector Dennis Theuma prosecuted.

Lawyers Roberto Montalto and Michael Grech appeared for Mr Axiaq.