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Dealer hid cannabis 'stash' in wardrobe

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Tuesday, September 04, 2012
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The Sentinel

DRUG addict Lee James has been jailed for dealing cannabis after being released from prison on licence.

Police raided the 48-year-old's home four months before his last sentence for drugs offences expired.

They recovered six small bags of cannabis, with a street value of £60, and found a stash worth £210 in his wardrobe.

Police also seized a mobile phone containing text messages from people asking to buy drugs, along with digital scales and two packets of clear, resealable bags.

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Following the raid, on December 23 last year, James pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply, but only on the basis that he was looking after the large bag for a family member.

He claimed the six small amounts were for his own use and he divided them up in case he was stopped by police while he was out, so his whole stash was not taken away from him.

The Crown Prosecution Service did not accept his plea, and a trial of issue was held at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday.

Giving evidence, James claimed he had not sold cannabis. He said: "I use cannabis because I've come off a lot of medication, diazepam and methadone. I use cannabis to sleep really.

"I never replied to the texts. I'm known for cannabis so people do ask me for things but that doesn't mean I give them things. I can't be held responsible for what people send to me.

"I haven't done anything wrong, except take cannabis."

Asked what he intended to do with the cannabis found by police, he said: "Smoke it over the Christmas period with the member of the family who was staying with me."

Judge Paul Glenn rejected his account and found James had been dealing. He said: "I'm satisfied the large bag was Mr James's stash. I reject his account that this was being held on behalf of another person. I found his evidence beggared belief.

"The six smaller bags were to be sold as deals. The texts quite clearly indicate Mr James was a street level dealer."

Peter McCartney, representing James, who has been before the courts repeatedly since he was 13, said: "He plainly has a problem with cannabis. It is a long standing habit.

"There was no commercial motive, save to cover his own costs and make it cheaper for himself."

The court heard James's criminal record included a 30-month prison sentence in 2004 for dealing heroin, and a 27-month sentence in 2010 for permitting premises to be used for the supply of heroin.

Following this, he was released in October 2010 and was still on licence when he was caught dealing cannabis.

Sentencing James, of Hamil Road, Burslem, to 15 months in prison, Judge Glenn said: "Your record and the fact this was committed while you were on licence are aggravating features. I sentence you on the basis that you were a street level dealer and you were making money from what you were doing."

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  • Profile image for Robnoxious

    by Robnoxious

    Monday, September 10 2012, 6:09PM

    “Nearly lost in the wardrobe”

  • Profile image for Robnoxious

    by Robnoxious

    Monday, September 10 2012, 5:12PM

    “EUREKA. I have found it,or smell as the case may be,I've found the Cock of the North. It was in the wardrobe all the time,all the drugs and stolen property i could not see it. But used my JUDGEment and decided to be BRAVE, 280 TIMES BRAVE . WOW . I also found a Cockatwo there as well. Are they all one of the same breed ? It was like finding the Golden Fleece. FLEECE being the operative word,robbing the old and vulnerable that these addicts like to do, to feed their habit. Then went to the Tunstall memorial gardens thinking these people might eventually see the light, of their actions. 280 previous convictions to feed a habit, that is when he only got caught, how many other times ? They tell us people of habit don't do us any harm. For the record it is not just drugs, wether it be gambling, drinking, eating or anything else, these things can take over your life if you are not careful, so all of us are at risk of some kind. So for my last word on this, and this is my opinion like it or not. Know your limits everything in moderation,and it will be a safer place.For banning things that can kill you ,we won't ban eating but we should ban drugs.”

  • Profile image for Robnoxious

    by Robnoxious

    Saturday, September 08 2012, 5:05PM

    “It all adds up now i have read fishandchips post.So one of these lives in the North East.So he did not like the truth about the Teeside judge when he states, Addicts are brave when they burgle your home.I do not think he a mentioned a medal for a care home.But i will not swear on my deathbed,just in case they pinch that.They even pinch my posts,i must have touched a vein.After today's Sentinel i can see why they would be against CCTV,the drug run.I'm not to familiar with the North East,but is that where the Cock of the North is ?”

  • Profile image for fissionchips

    by fissionchips

    Friday, September 07 2012, 9:51PM

    “"Fussionchump
    Do you honestly believe that spaming and trolling and behaving like you do, shouting at people and constantly repeating your childish pathetic behaviour is going to change anyone's mind?"

    Aaaahhhhhhhh the cannabis guru is losing self control – Whhhyyyyyyyyyy ;-) ?

    Who is trolling and who is spamming? That's brilliant from someone who has said they live in the North East haha.

    Since when is fact like this following spamming or shouting, when it is informing and HIGHLIGHTING FACT that isn't accepted by stoners.

    CANNABIS IS ILLEGAL

    CANNABIS WILL ALWAYS BE ILLEGAL.

    STONERS ARE CRIMINALS.

    STONERS WILL ALWAYS BE CRIMINALS

    And, and, and if the country is going to overcome the criminal activity surrounding cannabis, then STONERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR VILE, ADDICTIVE AND BRAIN DAMAGING HABIT and STOP PUTTING OUR CHILDREN AT RISK. Stoners are disgusting scum.

    Got it now? Cannabis will never be legalised by any UK government.”

  • Profile image for Johntoe

    by Johntoe

    Friday, September 07 2012, 10:50AM

    “Fussionchump
    Do you honestly believe that spaming and trolling and behaving like you do, shouting at people and constantly repeating your childish pathetic behaviour is going to change anyone's mind?

    Some more of those FACT things that you hate so much, prefering instead to depend on lies, half truths shouting (block capitals) insulting and abusing other posters, classic troll and ignoramous behaviour, I know YOU won't read them, they are intended for those with an open mind and an intelligent approach to any debate, Here,

    Quote,- In 1945 there were only 4 prosecutions for cannabis offences in the UK, in 1950 for the first time ever there were more prosecutions for cannabis than for opium and manufactured drugs put together - 86, Cannabis had finally got into the local shock horror league, but it wasn't to become the world's favourite illegality for a few more years. 1964 was the first year when more white people than black were convicted of cannabis - related offences in the UK. It was also the first year in which less than half of the people convicted were sentenced to prison. The total number of convictions, 544, was a little lower than in the previous two years, END QUOTE

    SOURCE- http://tinyurl.com/c9f4a7x


    MORE FACTS,
    In 2010 nearly 80,000 people in England and Wales were found guilty of or cautioned for possession of an illegal drug - most were young, black or poor.  The young in particular, are affected by these laws with 24,000 being cautioned or prosecuted for possession of a drug, primarily cannabis.  Since the introduction of the Misuse of Drugs Act 40 years ago, millions of people have been criminalised; in the last ten years alone nearly 1 million people have been cautioned or prosecuted in England and Wales for possession of drugs.
    {from 4 in 1945 to 1 million in in 2010} 
    There is no evidence that the risk of criminal sanctions deters people from using drugs.  The harms caused by criminalising large sections of society are well established and lead to significant wasted resources.  At a time when the country is facing the deepest spending cuts in modern history wasting enormous resources to police and prosecute individuals for drug possession is unacceptable.

    SOURCE- http://tinyurl.com/clf84aj

    Our resident troll/s may be right when they say "no UK government will ever legalise cannabis" I don't know,
    Do they think those of us who are opposed to injustice, will just give up our campaign? at a time when almost every national poll on the subject shows around 70% of the population support legalisation?
    THEY might be happy to see criminals making vast amounts of cash, they might be happy to see our taxes squandered on a 'war' that can't be won, happy to see our children put at risk by unscrupulous criminal dealers, they might be happy to bury their heads in the sand in the hope that cannabis will just 'go away' (it wont)

    WE will NEVER stop campaigning for a change in bad unworkable laws, that make criminals rich, put our kids at risk, and waste billions of pounds, just because some spineless cowards whine that "it will never happen"”

  • Profile image for Johntoe

    by Johntoe

    Friday, September 07 2012, 9:59AM

    “WOOHOOO I rattled some sad 'persons' cage, and 100 red arrows is more than the queen gets,.
    It also confirms 'our' suspicions that an 'old friend' is back with us welcome back slowmax,”

  • Profile image for Johntoe

    by Johntoe

    Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:08PM

    “Who went Trip trap trip trapping over it's bridge again?”

  • Profile image for fissionchips

    by fissionchips

    Thursday, September 06 2012, 9:41PM

    “There can be no discussion about cannabis because:

    No UK government will ever legalise cannabis as it's far too dangerous, lowering IQ, triggering (stoners remind me of Trigger haha) paranoia and schizophrenia. Let's for devilment cause a wobbly in the stoners.

    BIG RED KEY
    DRUGALYSER

    Wobble, wobble, wobble like a jelly and they are falling over.

    So stoners, here it is again:

    CANNABIS IS ILLEGAL

    CANNABIS WILL ALWAYS BE ILLEGAL.

    STONERS ARE CRIMINALS.

    STONERS WILL ALWAYS BE CRIMINALS

    You daydreaming stoners are going to have to give up.

    Stoners should solve the cannabis crime dilemma and GIVE UP!”

  • Profile image for Johntoe

    by Johntoe

    Thursday, September 06 2012, 9:05PM

    “Can someone who is fluent in gibberish please translate for me, I'm not sure if I am the one being accused of being brave and robbing someone on their death bed, or the person from Mow Cop, and I have no idea what Teeside has to do with anything, Who lives there, and when did they post? CCTV? nope, lost me there as well, I thought we were discussing the 'merits' of prohibition, and how 'well' it works as a method of control,
    But then, the Yanks tried it in the 1920s, it was a resounding success back then....... Oh, wait.....

    Tea pot banana bicycle, Sunday space ship Africa Fenton park lake and boat house, SEE, I can speak a bit of gibberish myself although far from flatulent,”

  • Profile image for Johntoe

    by Johntoe

    Thursday, September 06 2012, 7:10PM

    “@ Robnoxious
    WOW!! can I most humbly suggest that you read your own post through once again?

    Now you appear to be of at least average intelligence, So, does it not stand out and hit you right in the face, that YOU are doing exactly what you accuse others of doing?,

    a quote from your post,
    "Should you disagree with these people, God forbid,because these people think they are above everyone else"

    I certainly don't "think I'm above everyone else" please show me where I have said so?
    Another quote from you,
    "They are all one of the same" WHO are? those who DARE express an opinion you don't agree with? and usually an opinion expressed without the need for name calling, unless in retaliation.

    and who has told you to "shut up" and where?

    as for drug addicts stealing from anyone, who here has said they support that behaviour? link or quote please,
    Here's a question for you, one you've probably never asked yourself (it's OK you aren't meant to ask questions, you are just meant to accept whatever they tell you)
    Why do you think that there are many many times MORE alcohol addicts than heroin addicts, both drugs are highly addictive and both will eventually kill you, and the addicts of both drugs know this but still can't stop taking the drug,
    and yet, very few alcohol addicts steal to get their next fix, nor do (many, although it's getting more common) unscrupulous criminal gangsters make vast fortunes from selling alcohol to those who are addicted to the wet drug,
    Go on, ask yourself, WHY is that?
    Could it possibly be that it's because booze addicts can walk into Tesco and buy their next fix? and they aren't treated like criminals and called scumbags and locked up? it just might be ya know?
    I am anti ALL drugs me, legal or not, makes no difference to me, I don't use any of them,

    ALL I would like, all I have asked for, is an 'adult debate' without insults or name calling or "shouting people down" (although I'm not sure how that works on a forum,)
    But all I/we ever get is insults and abuse,

    and if being well informed and knowing my subject, makes me a "know it all" is that my fault? if the only 'argument' others can put forward is abuse and ignorance?
    and PLEASE don't "shut up" I would hate people to think I am SO ignorant that I don't believe you have the right to express an opinion,
    I will NEVER agree with it, and will always challenge it, but thats NOT telling you to "shut up" I DO hope you can grasp that point,”

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