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U.k:Caught smoking a joint in town centre

ADRIAN JENKINS

Burton Mail

Monday 19 May 2008

A LIFELONG cannabis smoker was caught by a policeman smoking a joint and carrying two bags of marijuana in Burton town centre, a court has heard.

Scott Byrd, of Shannon Approach, Burton, was found with the Class C controlled drug at 7.30pm on May 8 in the memorial gardens, in Lichfield Street.

Steve Knowles, prosecuting, said the 34-year-old was arrested and when questioned admitted that the £30 of vegetation was for personal use.

The solicitor added that the married father-of-two's five previous drug convictions included one for Class A drug MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.

Robin Skinner, defending, said the defendant had used cannabis since childhood and knew it was illegal but saw it as harmless and had no intention of giving up.

Although his record was 'very bad', he wanted to put his life in order and was studying for qualifications which would enable him to work in the building trade.

Mr Skinner said Byrd previously worked as a car valeter but was unable to continue because chemicals in the cleaning products he used gave him an allergy.

Presiding magistrate Joan Jones fined the defendant £100, ordered him to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £60 costs, and ordered the destruction of the drugs.

Angered by the sentence, Byrd left the court after telling magistrates: "Victim surcharge of £15 - I have not done anything to anybody. One hundred and fifty pounds; that helps a lot, doesn't it?"

The clerk of the court told Byrd that the victim support surcharge was a mandatory penalty whenever any fine was imposed.

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail-news/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=315933

 

 

 

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