An uninsured driver was found with cannabis in his car while he was supposed to be self-isolating.
Robert Burgess had been told he must quarantine in his home after returning from a holiday in Turkey last October.
However, the 31-year-old decided to drive his Ford Transit van to get some groceries and was pulled over by police not long into his journey.
A court heard that officers found a small amount of cannabis in the vehicle and soon discovered that Burgess wasn't insured and didn't have a valid licence.
He was arrested and appeared before magistrates in North Tyneside to plead guilty to possession of a class B drug, driving with no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Prosecutor, Rebecca Gibson, said Burgess, of Wydon Park, Hexham, was travelling along Roman Avenue, in Walker, when he was pulled over by police.
Mrs Gibson added: "The defendant was stopped after information was received that he was supposed to be in quarantine following a trip to Turkey.
"Cannabis was found in the vehicle. It's a small amount."
The court heard that Burgess has been banned from driving after totting-up too many penalty points but hadn't applied for his licence back after the ban was finished.
Liz Dunbar, defending, said Burgess has been struggling following a relationship breakdown.
The solicitor continued: "He had come back from holiday and was told he had to self-isolate.
"He nipped out to get groceries at 10.25am as he didn't have anybody else to do it for him. He's a man who is self-employed and he's been trying to make ends meet. He's a self-employed roofer."
Burgess was fined a total of £250 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge. He was also given six penalty points.
