Stressed husband turned to drugs

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Stressed husband turned to drugs

Thursday, September 18, 2008, 15:00

Evening Post

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Str...il/article.html

 

A MAN whose wife fought cancer began growing cannabis to help him cope with the stress of her illness.

But police discovered Mathew Stead’s 19 cannabis plants growing in the garage of his Fforestfach home, after acting on a tip-off.

The 32-year-old was not at the property in Heol Iscoed when officers followed-up the anonymous lead on September 9. Stead said he had started to grow cannabis after his wife had battled her serious illness. But he pleaded guilty to the charge of cultivating cannabis when he appeared in court.

 

Baker, prosecuting, told the court: "A search was carried out of the property and garage. They found, in the garage, 19 cannabis plants. "All were seized," she added. Stead, who works as a welder, then voluntarily attended the police station the next day and told officers the drug was for his own personal use.

 

Paul Warren, defending, told the court: "There are quite significant mitigating factors."

He explained that he had begun to grow cannabis after his wife had been diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Warren also pointed out that Stead, a father of two, was not a habitual offender in relation to drugs.

District Judge Richard Williams said he intended to impose a community sentence for the offence.

After probation reports were prepared, Judge Williams told the court: "This was small scale cultivation for personal use."

 

However, he added that the one aggravating factor in the case was Stead’s use of a "sophisticated growing system" which included artificial lights and tinfoil.

For the offence Stead was given a 12-month community order with the requirement that he completes 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was also told he must pay costs of £80.

 

In addition, Judge Williams made an order that the drugs and equipment used to grow them was destroyed.

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In addition, Judge Williams made an order that the drugs and equipment used to grow them was destroyed.

 

How did they destroy the sophisticated tin foil..