23/08/2007 00:00:00
UK: Woman admits drugs charges
---
A WOMAN who admitted growing cannabis in her home has had her sentencing
postponed so she can prove she was taking the drugs for medicinal purposes.
Joanna Davis, 52, of Blackberry Lane, Weymouth, pleaded guilty at
Weymouth Magistrates Court to growing 103 cannabis plants and possessing
181 grams of herbal cannabis.
Sam Baker, prosecuting, told the court that police made the discovery
when they were attending Davis's address in relation to a dispute with a
neighbour.
advertisement
She said: "They were invited into the kitchen by Joanna Davis and while
in the property one of the officers caught the smell of what he thought
was cannabis.
"He saw a small piece of herbal cannabis on a lounge worktop and heard
running water."
Miss Baker said that when police asked Davis if she was growing cannabis
she frankly admitted it and allowed them to search her bedroom.
Police first discovered 48 plants being cultivated and a large plastic
container nearly full of herbal cannabis. On further inspection they
discovered 51 plant cuttings and four mother plants.
The plants and produce were taken for forensic tests and it was revealed
they were of the stronger, more valuable, skunk cannabis. It was
estimated that the street value of the haul was over £2,400.
Kenneth Sharpe, mitigating, said that medical evidence proving why she
needed to take the drugs would be a crucial factor in how Davis was
sentenced.
Mr Sharpe said that Davis was still suffering from a motorcycle accident
several years ago and also had mental health issues that caused her to
turn to cannabis.
He added that the prosecution had accepted the drugs were for personal use.
Magistrates chairman Pam Homer said the medical proof could be a
deciding factor in whether Davis received a suspended sentence or went
straight to prison.
She added: "Obviously you are aware that this is a very serious matter
and you may well go to prison."
Davis will return to court for sentencing on September 4.
http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1637439.0.woman_admits_drugs_charges.php
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=12808
Author:
Dorset Echo via UKCIA
|