Man found growing cannabis plants at his home used them to ease pain, court told
A JUDGE accepted that a 37-year-old who had 26 cannabis plants at his home was growing the drugs for pain relief.
Reports about the pain Samuel Newton suffered, from an undisclosed medical condition, provided "stark reading", Derby Crown Court heard.
Judge Michael Fowler handed Newton an 18-month community order.
Avik Mukherjee, prosecuting, said police searched Newton's home in Hardwick Street, Allenton, after going there for "a completely unrelated matter" on May 31. He said: "It was Mr Newton's bad luck, perhaps, that those circumstances arose as it was quite clear to police when they entered there was a strong smell of cannabis."
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There were two growing areas – one with nine mature plants and another with 17 younger ones.
Mr Mukherjee said: "The front bedroom had been converted with growing trays and thick sheeting. It was quite obvious to police that there had been at least one previous crop, probably two.
"Something had been set up here to ensure there was a continuous supply of cannabis. He said he had been a heavy user for about 20 years."
Five ecstasy tablets were also found.
Newton admitted production of cannabis and possessing the ecstasy tablets.
Simon Clarke, for Newton, said: "There are those who use cannabis as a pain reliever. As far as the ecstasy was concerned, they were old tablets left over from his days of clubbing."
Sentencing him, judge Fowler said: "You can consider yourself fortunate that the circumstances constrain the sentence I can impose."
3 Comments
by Mr_Rational
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 8:46AM
“@Kettle55 Does anybody think the judge was conned?
Only those who failed to read, or understand, what Judge Fowler said: "You can consider yourself fortunate that the circumstances constrain the sentence I can impose."”
by Tamas
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 8:16AM
“A lot of dope in 26 plants.”
by Kettle55
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 8:01AM
“Does anybody think the judge was conned?”