A MAN who grew cannabis at his Powick home has been given a suspended jail sentence after promising magistrates he will not be back in front of them again.
Nicholas Scott admitted producing a quantity of a class B drug, cannabis, and possession with intent to supply when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.
Sumreen Afsar, prosecuting, said police were called to Scott’s Partletts Way home on July 12, in relation to another matter, and searched the premises.
Police found 105 packets which appeared to look like sweets but were in fact cannabis.
“Also located were a number of cannabis plants,” the prosecutor said.
“Phones had messages on them which said ‘get shot of them’ and ‘have you sold any sweets?’.
The prosector said as the 51-year-old had played a “significant role” the offences could carry a custodial sentence and so it was her submission the sentencing powers of magistrates were not sufficient and it should be sent to crown court.
Magistrates decided to accept jurisdiction in the case on Thursday, (June 9).
Mr Patel said Scott had in fact played a "lesser role" and he said: “An expert says the growing was not sophisticated and called it a very amateur setup."
Mr Patel said Scott had told him the cannabis was for his own use to help him sleep as he suffered anxiety and depression since the death of a partner, giving up work as a roofer to look after their children.
And the solicitor said the messages sent had been with people known to him.
Mr Patel added: “If you think the offences cross the custodial threshold I would submit he is the ideal candidate for a suspended sentence with unpaid work.”
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Chairman Roger Warrington explained they had decided to give Scott six months in prison, saying it had been aggravated by the growing of four cannabis plants.
However, after hearing defence submissions they felt they could suspend the sentence for a year.
Nicholas Scott tells magistrates 'it won't happen again'
As the chairman was in the process of giving Scott the warning he was at risk of being jailed if he reoffended, Scott interjected saying: “I’m not at risk your honour, it won’t happen again”.
The chairman replied it was “good to hear”.
Scott was told he would need to complete 260 hours of unpaid work, and pay £185 costs and victim surcharge of £128.
An offer to pay the £313 total at a rate of £50 a month was accepted by the magistrates.
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