Dope grower had a kilo of drugs
A CANNABIS grower found with more than a kilo of the drug at his home has been warned he could be jailed – despite claiming it was nearly all for his personal use.
A CANNABIS grower found with more than a kilo of the drug at his home has been warned he could be jailed – despite claiming it was nearly all for his personal use.Police raided the farmhouse of David Bruce, in Farcet, near Peterborough, to find he was growing 20 cannabis plants, 18 of which were mature and ready for harvesting.
Peterborough Magistrates’ Court heard that officers also found more than five grams of cocaine and 1.05kg of cannabis resin – enough to make in excess of 4,000 joints, according to police.
However, 45-year-old Bruce, who said he had been addicted to cannabis since the age of 18, claimed he was not dealing the drugs, but was keeping the majority for himself.
He said he shared the rest with two friends when they visited his home in Conquest Drove.
His solicitor, Beth Rogers, told the court: “My client talks about the large scale of his own habit. He has become aware of the drop in quality and rise in price (of cannabis on the market).
“As a long-term user, he decided that this was a way of solving those problems.
“At first glance this might seem to be a large scale, supply but it is not.”
Bruce pleaded guilty to a charge of producing cannabis and to further charges of possessing cannabis and cocaine.
But the court heard that prosecutors had decided not to pursue more serious charges of possession with intent to supply, against the advice of police involved in the raid on April 3.
District Judge Hailsworth expressed concern about the decision and ordered the Crown Prosecution Service to provide a detailed explanation of the thinking behind it.
He said: “The cultivation of cannabis is a very serious matter, particularly given what appears to me to be a clear case of commercial cultivation.”
The judge ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared and warned Bruce the offences were so serious he could be sent to jail when he returned to be sentenced in August.
“If my sentencing powers were wider, I would be looking at 12 months for the cultivation alone,” he said.
“My view is that any court sentencing you must consider custody.”
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Weather for Peterborough
Wednesday 17 March 2010
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