English Hydroponic storeowners jailed for selling equipment

[mullray]

UK: Cannabis Kit Sellers Jailed Despite Pleas

Sarah North

Derby Evening Telegraph

Friday 11 Jan 2008

 

 

 

Two men who insisted they believed their business selling

cannabis-growing equipment was legal have been jailed.

 

Paul Fenwick and David Kenning supplied goods, materials and manuals to

enable customers of their business, based at Derby Trading Estate, in

Stores Road, to grow cannabis plants.

 

They said they had thought that the business was legitimate, especially

as it had been checked by police and trading standards officers.

 

The pair even advertised the business - Hydroponics Wholesale - in the

belief they were not committing any offence.

 

But when undercover police officers visited the firm, they were given

advice on how to use equipment to grow cannabis plants and the pair were

arrested.

 

Yesterday, Judge David Price imposed a 36-month jail sentence on

Fenwick, 45, of Leicestershire, who at a trial in November had been

found guilty of conspiring to aid and abet production of cannabis.

 

He was also sentenced for having an unlicensed firearm and producing

£2,000 of cannabis with intent to supply.

 

A 21-month jail term was also imposed on Kenning, 36, of Wymeswold,

Leicestershire, who had been convicted of the conspiracy charge.

 

Sitting at Nottingham Crown Court, the judge also issued an arrest

warrant for a third man, Paul Blackshaw, 32, of Barley Close, Little Eaton.

 

He worked for the men and was found guilty of being part of the

conspiracy but failed to attend court.

 

Solicitors acting for the men have now applied for the case to be heard

at the Court of Appeal because they claim the charges they faced are not

lawful.

 

The judge told Kenning and Fenwick: "In effect, the jury convicted you

of being involved in a conspiracy to produce cannabis.

 

"Your part of that conspiracy was to supply goods, materials and manuals

to enable customers to produce cannabis.

 

"You knew the business was illegal but realised there were huge profits

to be made. That is why you continued."

 

David Matthew, for Kenning, said: "He is convicted of an offence not

known in law. It is quite clear from the Government papers mentioned in

the grounds of appeal that Government lawyers agree the offence charged

is not known to law."

 

Mr Matthew said Kenning did not use the drug and told the judge: "He is

not on a personal crusade to deal with cannabis and make it more available."

 

He said Kenning paid himself £2,000 a month from the business.

 

James Beck, for Fenwick, said there was "widespread confusion" over the law.

 

Mr Beck said: "This is not a man who continued an illegal operation

hidden away. It has been advertised, including at Derby football ground.

 

"This is a man who is a good man," said Mr Beck.

 

He said Fenwick was an acupuncturist who had helped many people.

 

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayN...tentPK=19513156

[Stoney]

Dam shame to see this shit happening

 

hope it dont start happening around here anytime soon

 

cheerz

[WantDaChronic]

poor guys, all they were doing was helping people grow some plants and forgot to mention they were only talking about tomatoes