A man had a six-month jail term reduced to 100 hours of community service and three years' probation on appeal after making a success of his drug rehabilitation programme.

John Gerada, 43, was a heavy cannabis user and had been found in possession of 250 grammes of the drug on April 2, 2005. He had bought such a large amount because he was about to travel and needed the extra supply.

He was found guilty of possessing the drug but not of possessing it with intent to traffic. Nonetheless, because the amount was so big, he was jailed for six months and was fined €1,160.

Mr Gerada appealed as he felt the jail term was excessive, especially since he had admitted to being a heavy user right from the start and had managed to kick the habit.

Probation officer Victoria Grech said her client was exemplary and she had followed his rehabilitation from January 2007. He had always kept his appointments with her and whenever she had asked him to take a urine test he did so and the results yielded negative results.

In the circumstances, Mr Justice David Scicluna decided to place him under probation for three years and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of community service.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared for Mr Gerada.