07/01/2008 00:00:00
UK: Cannabis Dealer Caught Red-Handed
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Cannabis dealer Michael Bending has been given a suspended jail
sentence after being caught with drugs and hundreds of pounds on a city
street.
Bending, 64, of Pennsylvania Road, Exeter, was given six months in jail
suspended for two years, at Exeter Crown Court on Friday.
The court heard that Bending, whose previous convictions include drug
dealing, claims cannabis relieves his health problems including spinal
pain, arthritis and gout, and that he believes it should be decriminalised.
But Judge Paul Darlow said there was no excuse for flouting the law and
if the defendant had been caught dealing drugs to young people he would
be in even more trouble than a suspended jail sentence.
Detectives told the Echo that Bending's arrest had helped clear drugs
from the city's streets and they thanked British Transport Police for
making the arrest.
Bending pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin with intent to
supply and two offences of possessing the drug.
British Transport Police were on plain clothes patrol in an unmarked
vehicle when Bending was spotted near a pub in New North Road on
November 14 last year.
A young male got into a car with Bending and handed him cash, in nearby
Northbrook Terrace. When searched, the young male had no drugs on him
and Bending said he was selling him tobacco.
Bending had various amounts of cannabis resin, with a street value of
more than £850. Police found £800 in a car glove compartment and a
further £595 was found in his wallet. It is not clear whether Bending
owned the car or it belonged to someone else.
The defendant refused to say who he was selling drugs to but told the
police he was part of a syndicate of 12 people involved in buying and
selling the cannabis among each other to fund their own use.
The court heard he had 17 previous convictions for 35 criminal offences.
Defence counsel Lee Bremridge said Bending had to leave his steel fixing
job several years ago due to illness and had never claimed benefits
since, even though he was entitled to them. He instead survived by
selling jewellery and cannabis.
Bending was last in trouble five years ago and could lose his home if
jailed, the court was told.
Judge Darlow told the defendant: "Your syndicate was like-minded people
of the same age, not pushing to younger people. If you had been, it
would be entirely different."
Detective Constable Blain Bishop told the Echo after sentencing that he
wanted to thank the British Transport Police for their assistance.
He added: "This was a hefty seizure of cannabis and cash, helping clear
drugs from the city's streets." He added that proceedings were now under
way to confiscate Bending's drugs money.
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13112
Author:
via UKCIA
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