Mr Burns
08-05-2008, 05:15 AM
04 August 2008 | 13:30
An habitual cannabis user was today preparing to carry out community service after he was caught growing 22 plants of the drug at his home.
Martin Johns was told to complete 250 hours of unpaid work after he was busted by police at his home in John Street, Ipswich.
Police executed a warrant to search the address on May 10 and found a number of plants in his bedroom cupboard.
South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that Johns, 52, admitted growing the plants to feed his £50-a-week habit and help ease pain from a back injury.
The court was told that various pieces of equipment for cultivation were seized as well as the plants, which had a total street value of £90.
When Johns was arrested, he told police in interview that he had a habit, but it was getting too expensive so he decided to grow the cannabis for himself.
It was heard that he used the drug for pain relief for his back following a car accident.
Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said: “Johns had a fairly chequered start to his life but since then he has kept himself to himself.
“Things went awry following the accident, but there is no suggestion there is any dealing going on here.
“He is not going to do any more cannabis and he will get by with any other medication that can be prescribed.”
Johns was ordered to carry out unpaid work with the probation service and told to pay £65 court costs.
An order was also made for the forfeiture and destruction of the growing equipment and plants.
An habitual cannabis user was today preparing to carry out community service after he was caught growing 22 plants of the drug at his home.
Martin Johns was told to complete 250 hours of unpaid work after he was busted by police at his home in John Street, Ipswich.
Police executed a warrant to search the address on May 10 and found a number of plants in his bedroom cupboard.
South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that Johns, 52, admitted growing the plants to feed his £50-a-week habit and help ease pain from a back injury.
The court was told that various pieces of equipment for cultivation were seized as well as the plants, which had a total street value of £90.
When Johns was arrested, he told police in interview that he had a habit, but it was getting too expensive so he decided to grow the cannabis for himself.
It was heard that he used the drug for pain relief for his back following a car accident.
Ian Duckworth, mitigating, said: “Johns had a fairly chequered start to his life but since then he has kept himself to himself.
“Things went awry following the accident, but there is no suggestion there is any dealing going on here.
“He is not going to do any more cannabis and he will get by with any other medication that can be prescribed.”
Johns was ordered to carry out unpaid work with the probation service and told to pay £65 court costs.
An order was also made for the forfeiture and destruction of the growing equipment and plants.