A CARLISLE man told police he had bought 100 prescription-only sedative pills because he was suffering from insomnia.

Police found the diazepam pills, being stored in a plastic container, when they searched the Seat Leon car which Dwain Ferriday, 27, had used to travel to Sainsbury's petrol station in Carlisle on October 27, Carlisle's Rickergate court heard.

Rachel Ottley, for the defendant, who gave his address as Borland Avenue, Botcherby, Carlisle, told the court: "He's having difficulty sleeping and that's why he bought them."

She said the defendant, who paid £40 for the drugs, had been in an out of hospital following suicide attempts, so his GP had a result had been reluctant to prescribe such medication.

"That's why he took the foolish decision to purchase diazepam," she said.

"He wasn't aware that they were illegal."

The defendant had no previous convictions, she added.

District Judge Gerald Chalk fined Ferriday £45, with £85 costs, and he ordered the destruction of the drugs.