POLICE found an illegal CS gas canister in a man's bedroom while searching a house for unrelated stolen goods.
Macclesfield magistrates were told Kurt Harding, 25, was out when the police search took place at his previous address.
Later he said it had mysteriously appeared in his kitchen and he had moved it into his bedroom.
The court heard Harding, now of Buckfast Close, Macclesfield, was later charged with possessing a CS gas canister and also possession of cannabis. He admitted both offences.
Prosecuting, Patrick Hutchinson, said the items were found in Harding's room when police were searching his previous address for stolen items connected to another man.
Mr Hutchinson said: "They found in Harding's bedroom two blocks of cannabis resin with a value of £40 but more importantly this CS gas."
The court heard Harding was not at home at the time but later handed himself in to police.
He said the cannabis was for his own personal use and he knew it was illegal to have it.
Mr Hutchinson said: "He said the CS gas had appeared in the kitchen about two weeks before.
"He didn't know how but he knew possession of it was illegal.
"He said he had moved it to his bedroom but gave no particular reason for doing that."
Mark James, defending, said: "There was a search carried out by police officers looking for stolen property and Harding occupied a bedroom in that house.
"He contacted the police on is return to the property and surrendered himself."
Mr James told magistrates: "As you are aware this was a shared house and this item came to light in the kitchen."
He said it had been moved to Harding's room but it was not the case that he intended to use it to threaten anyone.
Harding was fined £150 for possessing the gas, £50 for possession of cannabis and ordered to pay £50 court costs.
