A CANNABIS-USER from Leamington who tried to have more than £700 worth of the drug smuggled into the country in a parcel of toys from Canada was caught after customs officers intercepted it.
But at Warwick Crown Court, despite admitting he sold cannabis to his friends, self-employed plasterer Jake Brown escaped being jailed by the skin of his teeth.
The 33 year-old, of Avenue Road, pleaded guilty to evading the prohibition on the importation of cannabis and possessing a quantity of the drug. He was sentenced to ten months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work and to comply with a three night overnight curfew.
Prosecutor Alexandra Kettle-Williams said in September last year customs officers intercepted a parcel from Canada which was said to contain a toy set. But as well as the toy set, the parcel, addressed to Brown, contained 727 grams of herbal cannabis – which could have a street value of up to £10 a gram.
When Brown was later arrested he was found to have 50 grams of cannabis, which he admitted possessing for his own use. Tom Schofield, defending, said Brown had ‘a significant cannabis abuse habit’ but had voluntarily referred himself to the Recovery Partnership and had not used the drug for four months.
He added Brown, a self-employed plasterer, was a responsible father, and although not with his seven-month-old child’s mother any more, he still contributed to the family.
Judge Stephen Eyre QC told Brown: “I have to sentence you for the importation of cannabis you obtained using the dark web. You used it yourself and you sold it to your friends.
“There must have been a significant degree of sale to your friends, because scales and dealer bags were found, and the supply of cheap cannabis was therefore increased. “This offence involves deliberate defiance of the law, and this is at the upper end of significant role. “But you have a good work record and have acted responsibly towards your child.
“I also take account of the fact that you have got yourself clear of the use of cannabis. That allows me to reduce the sentence, and I can reduce it further because of your plea.
“Rather against my better judgement, and by the skin of your teeth, I have decided I can suspend it.”
