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Coolguy

Arthritic cannabis grower escapes a spell in prison
icBerkshire | 11/25/2005

An arthritic father-of-one grew cannabis in his garden after watching hit BBC soap EastEnders, a judge has been told.

David East said that smoking the Class C drug helped ease the pain of his condition and claimed he only started growing it himself after watching the TV show.

He was arrested after police raided his home, in Wentworth Avenue, Britwell, and found two plants in his garden, along with cannabis resin worth more than £43,000.

East, 35, admitted growing the herbal cannabis and said it saved him from having to pay drug dealers' high prices on the street.

He escaped jail after claiming he was only looking after the bulk of the cannabis as a favour for a friend and was not selling it on himself.

Deborah Minett, prosecuting at Reading Crown Court on Monday, said police found 10.4 kilograms of cannabis resin and just over 18g of herbal cannabis.

She added: "When interviewed he said he smoked it because he had arthritis and had it helped with the pain.

"He said he started to grow cannabis plants in his garden because he had seen it on EastEnders and couldn't believe how easy it was."

In one 2003 storyline, Martin Fowler used his late dad Arthur's allotment shed to grow cannabis before being rumbled by police.

However it is was not stated in court which exact plot had inspired the defendant.

Nicholas Alexander, defending, said East had co-operated with police from the outset and pleaded guilty to the offence.

He added: "He realises that his use of cannabis is not appropriate and he is seeking to address that, but he has found other pain relief not as helpful to him."

Mr Alexander also said East had given up his own time to help out at a nearby school, and was actively involved in his young son's education.

Judge Charles Elly decided against sending East to prison and instead placed him under a curfew, which prevents him from leaving his house from 7pm to 7am.

He also ordered the defendant to complete a 12-month Community Rehabilitation Order.

East had previously admitted possession of cannabis with intent to supply and possession of cannabis.

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Buzzby

Wow! The "I'm holding it for someone else" defense actually works! The next time I'm caught with 23 pounds of hash I'll just tell the officer that it's not mine.

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Hashishi

10.4keys!? i'm assuming there's more to the case considering the curfew

this is bizzare. i could understand the conviction had it been another senior citizen case...but the guy's 35 y/o. any possibility that the conviction was lessened considering it was all 'between friends'? still, if it's the hash i know then he'd have to be involved in other circles to get hold of it. this whole case would make sense to me were it completely removed from the supply line, but as it stands it's just confusing

not that i'm complaining of course

Seelesauger

I dont think that will work in America

Buzzby

It works in America only if you can afford very expensive defense lawyers.

See TX: Former Dallas Cowboy stands by story that marijuana pipe found in car was not his