01/02/2008 00:00:00
UK: Man thought selling cannabis was a less serious offence, court
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A DRUG addict caught dealing cannabis resin in a Medway pub escaped
being sent to jail after a judge accepted he was genuinely remorseful.
Lee Skinner wept as Judge James O'Mahony told him: "I am dealing with
serious circumstances indeed which have placed you within an ace of
going to prison, which would be utterly silly for you."
Maidstone Crown Court heard that police were called to the pub in the
early hours of November 11 after a report about Skinner's behaviour.
Jane Scotchmer, prosecuting, said the 35-year-old electrician was
searched and small blocks of cannabis were found. His home was searched
as well and the total seized was 669.8g.
Skinner, of Church Mews, Rainham, said he had cut some of the cannabis
into quarter-ounce pieces to sell to people in the pub and fund his own
habit.
He added that he thought it was a less serious offence since cannabis
had been downgraded.
Skinner, who has smoked cannabis since the age of 18, had sought help
from a drug agency in Gillingham.
Impressed
Judge O'Mahony said he was impressed with the contents of a probation
report. Normally, dealers went straight to jail but each case had to be
looked at on its own circumstances.
He said he hoped that Skinner had learnt the error of his ways in
believing that because cannabis had been reduced to a Class C drug it
was not a serious offence.
"Cannabis is a dangerous drug," said the judge.
"It causes real problems for many young people in particular, sometimes
psychosis.
"People's lives have been devastated by cannabis.
"In those circumstances you must realise this is not a game you can play.
"What has persuaded me not to send you to prison is that it has been
recognised in the report that you are genuinely remorseful.
"I can see you standing there weeping now and I am sure that is correct,
that you won't ever do this again."
Judge O'Mahony imposed eight months imprisonment suspended for two years
and ordered 100 hours unpaid work.
Skinner, who admitted possessing drugs with intent to supply, will also
have to pay £285 costs.
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/aroundkent/news.asp?village=16022&article_id=421100
Source:
http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsarticle.php?articleid=13237
Author:
Medway Messenger via UKCIA
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