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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis Dealer Caught Red-Handed
thisisexeter Monday 07 Jan 2008 Cannabis dealer Michael Bending has been given a suspended jail sentence after being caught with drugs and hundreds of pounds on a city street. Bending, 64, of Pennsylvania Road, Exeter, was given six months in jail suspended for two years, at Exeter Crown Court on Friday. The court heard that Bending, whose previous convictions include drug dealing, claims cannabis relieves his health problems including spinal pain, arthritis and gout, and that he believes it should be decriminalised. But Judge Paul Darlow said there was no excuse for flouting the law and if the defendant had been caught dealing drugs to young people he would be in even more trouble than a suspended jail sentence. Detectives told the Echo that Bending's arrest had helped clear drugs from the city's streets and they thanked British Transport Police for making the arrest. Bending pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin with intent to supply and two offences of possessing the drug. British Transport Police were on plain clothes patrol in an unmarked vehicle when Bending was spotted near a pub in New North Road on November 14 last year. A young male got into a car with Bending and handed him cash, in nearby Northbrook Terrace. When searched, the young male had no drugs on him and Bending said he was selling him tobacco. Bending had various amounts of cannabis resin, with a street value of more than £850. Police found £800 in a car glove compartment and a further £595 was found in his wallet. It is not clear whether Bending owned the car or it belonged to someone else. The defendant refused to say who he was selling drugs to but told the police he was part of a syndicate of 12 people involved in buying and selling the cannabis among each other to fund their own use. The court heard he had 17 previous convictions for 35 criminal offences. Defence counsel Lee Bremridge said Bending had to leave his steel fixing job several years ago due to illness and had never claimed benefits since, even though he was entitled to them. He instead survived by selling jewellery and cannabis. Bending was last in trouble five years ago and could lose his home if jailed, the court was told. Judge Darlow told the defendant: "Your syndicate was like-minded people of the same age, not pushing to younger people. If you had been, it would be entirely different." Detective Constable Blain Bishop told the Echo after sentencing that he wanted to thank the British Transport Police for their assistance. He added: "This was a hefty seizure of cannabis and cash, helping clear drugs from the city's streets." He added that proceedings were now under way to confiscate Bending's drugs money. http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/
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