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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Mercy For Dealer In Cannabis
Nelson Leader
Friday 16 Jun 2006 Mercy For Dealer In Cannabis A DRUG dealer with a mystery illness won a court's mercy and kept his freedom. But a judge warned him he could not play the same "card" again. Burnley Crown Court heard Keith Goode had cannabis worth almost £3,000 at his Barnoldswick home and owned up to supplying one 9oz. bar to callers every seven to 10 days. Goode, who used £20 worth of the drug a day himself, had undiagnosed health problems as well as spinal difficulties, was having an MRI scan and other treatment and feared he would not the medical help he needed in custody. The defendant (29), of Lower Rook Street, Barnoldswick, admitted supplying cannabis and possessing the drug with intent to supply. Sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson slammed him as "exceedingly stupid" as it was the third time he had been in court on drugs offences and, she added, he had been shown mercy the last time. The judge said the defendant, who was subsidising his own cannabis use by dealing, was frank and open with police. But, she continued: "Complex as your unresolved medical history is, you can't keep coming to court and playing that card." Goode was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years, with supervision. Judge Watson told him: "You have been given a golden opportunity. If you reoffend during that time you will go to prison and no medical condition in the world will save you." Mr David Macro (prosecuting) said police searched the defendant's home last December. Goode was asked if he had anything he shouldn't and pointed to a drawer. He had four 9 oz. bars of cannabis and told officers: "You have got me." The drugs were worth £2,780. Mr Mark Stuart (defending) said Goode had stopped taking illegal substances, apart from cannabis, but had not been able to kick that habit. He was on a lot of medication and taking cannabis was bound to have an effect on his body. "The more he is drug free and they can find out exactly what's wrong, the better off he will be." Mr Stuart urged the court not to send Goode to custody so he could get the treatment he undoubtedly needed. He said Goode worked until his ailments became too much for him and he was on sickness benefit. He urged the court to show mercy and to allow the defendant to get help to wean himself away from his cannabis addiction. Mr Stuart added: "He knows if he was under the threat of a suspended sentence that any future offending, particularly in relation to drugs and particularly in relation to effectively feeding his own habit, would be sending himself immediately to prison." http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=10&ArticleID=1567523
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