A CANNABIS addict started growing his own supply because he was scared to go to drug dealers. John Stanley, 41, was found with eight cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of £4,080, when officers raided his home in Cardigan Road, west Hull.
They also found more than £5,000 of ready-to-smoke skunk cannabis in tubs and bags scattered throughout his house.
Stanley, now of Rutland Road, Hull, pleaded guilty to production and possession of cannabis with the intent to supply.
His girlfriend Melanie Heseltine, 37, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and amphetamines.
Prosecuting, Jayne Bryan said: "They found four non-flowering plants in one room and a further four in another room.
"A search of the property was carried out from the kitchen and boxes and bags were found. Scales were recovered and a further amount of cannabis was found in the living room.
"In the front bedroom, there were four tubs containing 923g, with an estimated street value of £5,260."
Officers then searched Heseltine's home and found 13 bags of varying amounts of cannabis and three bags of amphetamine, worth £135, in the bedroom.
Mrs Bryan said: "Mr Stanley accepts growing cannabis for his own use and that he would have given some to his partner.
"She too accepts smoking cannabis and the amount at her address had been given to her by Mr Stanley.
"The amphetamine had been given to her some time ago and she had forgotten she had it."
Defending Stanley, Helen Chapman said he was growing the cannabis for his own use and would give it to friends so they would not have to encounter drug dealers.
She said: "This is a man who got into growing his own cannabis because he was scared of being involved with ordinary drug dealers and who was then providing to friends who felt a similar way."
Sentencing Stanley to a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours unpaid work, Judge Simon Jack said: "This was effectively for your own use and you would supply to friends in return for them supplying you if you were short.
"There was not a substantial amount of drugs involved that you had grown yourself. On the other hand, you had a substantial quantity of cannabis, apparently harvested, in your possession.
"I hope this will be the end of it and that you will move on with your life, but that is up to you."
Heseltine was given a 12-month community order and ordered to do 60 hours unpaid work.
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