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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Dad Sent Sick Son Cannabis By Post
Gloucester Echo
Friday 17 Feb 2006 A Dad sent his son cannabis worth £4,000 in the post, a court heard. Julian Hardy, 60, and his son Christopher, 38, were given suspended prison terms and sentenced to do community work. Gloucester Crown Court heard that Julian Hardy introduced his son, who has muscular dystrophy, to cannabis at the age of 15. Mr Hardy, who lives in Carlisle, admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply. He grew the drug at home. Christopher, of Pittville Lawn, Cheltenham, admitted a similar charge on the basis that he would have supplied some of the drug to friends, although not on a commercial basis. Crown Prosecutor Kannan Siva said that on May 7 last year police went to Christopher's then home in Wellington Square, Cheltenham, and found the DHL package containing 941.2g of herbal cannabis and 11 self-sealing bags. When Mr Hardy was arrested, he admitted sending the drug to his son to alleviate a medical condition. Both men were of previous good character, said Mr Siva. He told Judge Jamie Tabor QC that the Crown did not regard either as commercial dealers. Jason Coulter, defending Christopher, said he conceded that his use of cannabis was "undoubtedly a lifestyle decision" rather than to relieve symptoms of his illness. Judge Tabor said: "It's a life he has decided to lead which is unlawful and he seems, frankly, to revel in it." Defending Mr Hardy, Jonathan Stanniland said: "At the time he supplied the drug to his son it was his firm belief that he was helping him to alleviate the painful symptoms of muscular dystrophy." Sentencing Christopher to eight months in jail suspended for two years, Judge Tabor ordered him to do 100 hours' community service and placed him under supervision for a year. He ordered him to pay £150 costs. He sentenced Mr Hardy to a four-month term suspended for two years, ordered him to do 80 hours' community service and pay £100 costs. Judge Tabor said: "It's sad to see a man of your age, who has gone through life without convictions, before a court today. It's a disgrace."
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