Man turned to cannabis to cope with strain of children

[kiwi_farmer]

October 06, 2008

http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au

© APN News & Media Ltd 2008

 

 

A DRUG addict and small-time dealer used cannabis to cope with the strain of having 15 chidren, Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard.

 

Jody Brian Richardson, 39, pleaded guilty to 13 drug-related charges, including supply, drug production, possession of cannabis and ecstasy and owning instructions on how to produce drugs.

 

His solicitor, Lance Rundle, said jobless Richardson and his partner had 15 children between them and Richardson had been smoking marijuana for 20 years.

 

"He smokes to ease the stress of having so many kids," said Mr Rundle, who claimed Richardson had made a number of failed attempts to kick his addiction.

 

Richardson lived on welfare benefits at a house in Coronation Drive, Mount Morgan - a home that was raided on June 30 by officers from the state drug investigation unit, the court was told.

 

Prosecutor Barbara Barton said police found $495 in cash and a book that showed the amounts of money he was owed by people he had provided with drugs.

 

They also discovered a large quantity of cannabis seeds in a bedroom, a book on how to grow marijuana and a bag containing a number of white tablets that were later identified as ecstasy.

 

For Richardson, Mr Rundle said his client admitted all 13 charges and asked for probation rather than jail.

 

"He is prepared to join a program to get him off drugs," he said.

 

Magistrate Mark Morrow fined Richardson a total of $700, placed him on probation for two years and ordered him to take part in counselling and regular drug testing.

 

He warned Richardson that he must be entirely drug-free during the period of probation.

 

His urine would be tested and if he was found with drugs in his system he could be sent to jail.