Police discover 14 cannabis plants in Balnamore home

Before the court on two summonses for having a Class B drug in his possession and cultivating a cannabis plant on January 21 last was James Robinson of 5 Beechwood Drive, Balnamore.

Robinson, who admitted the offences, was fined 200 on each summons.

The court was told that police carried out a search of a house in Balnamore and discovered cannabis in the roof space. Fourteen plants were seized along with drugs paraphernalia.

A solicitor for Robinson said there was a complex background to the defendant. He had been involved in a tragic accident in which his father was killed and her client was seriously injured.

The solicitor said the accident had serious repercussions and that defendant had been on medication.

“By his own admission he decided to self-medicate by growing cannabis. He purchased seeds purely for his own use and the cannabis assisted the nervous condition he was suffering from,” the solicitor said.

Defendant had subsequently gone back to his GP and was prescribed further medication. Robinson, she said, was referred to the Community Addiction Team and stressed that all proper steps had been taken.

“My client has completely ceased the use of cannabis and would be willing to submit to any drugs test,” the solicitor said, adding that the premises where the drugs were found were no longer within his use. Robinson, unemployed and on benefits, was now living with his mother.

Before imposing fines, District Judge, Mr. Richard Wilson, warned defendant that if he came before the court again for a similar offence he would end up in prison. Mr. Wilson made a disposal order on the drugs and the equipment associated therewith.