POLICE attending a flat in connection with an unrelated incident discovered ten cannabis plants growing in a hydroponic system in one of the property’s bedrooms.
Their discovery led the appearance in Court of Marc Brummit, of Roberts Street, Milford Haven on a single charge of the production of cannabis.
ON Tuesday, February 5, Magistrates at Haverfordwest heard that Police attending Brummit’s flat in April last year detected the aroma of cannabis in the property. They found the plants and Brummit told the officers he grew them for his own personal use.
Appearing for Brummit, Mike Kelleher told Magistrates that his client suffered from ankylosing spondylitis following a serious back injury. Brummit, he said, used cannabis as an alternative to strong painkillers.
Mr Kelleher continued that Police found the plants in an early stage of growth and that there was no prospect of their immediate consumption.
Since the incident , Mr Brummit had started on prescription medication to manage his pain.
Before sentencing, the Bench asked for a Probation report.
Following an adjournment to permit the report’s preparation, they returned and heard from the court probation officer. She told the Court that Brummit’s account to her was consistent with what Mr Kelleher told Magistrates and added that Brummit said he no longer used cannabis to deal with his chronic pain.
As a result of his condition, Magistrates were told that Brummit, who receives both ESA and PIP, was not suitable for unpaid work. He had complied with the Probation Service in relation to previous offences.
Magistrates sentenced Brummit to a six-month community order with a provision for a maximum of five rehabilitation days. Brummit also got a £120 fine, was ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and levied an £85 victim support service surcharge. The total of £290 was consolidated with existing fines and ordered to be paid by deduction from Brummit’s welfare benefits.
Magistrates ordered the cannabis plants’ destruction.
Chronic pain led to growing weed
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