Billingham cannabis dealer avoids jail after court hears he uses the drug for pain relief

Andrew Williamson, 44, was caught with more than £2,500 worth of the Class B drug in two police raids at his home

A Cannabis dealer who used the drug to relieve the pain of his arthritis has avoided jail.

Andrew Williamson, 44, said the Class B drug was the only effective painkiller he could use for his arthritis.

His illnesses played a part in the decision not to jail him, but to keep him prisoner in his own home at nights under a curfew.

More than £2,500 worth of cannabis was found in his home in two police raids.

He admitted he was supplying the Class B drug to finance his own habit, not for financial gain.

Police first searched his home on Denbigh Road, Billingham on January 21 last year.

Officers found cannabis worth £1,464, almost £780 cash, digital scales and two mobile phones carrying drug-related texts.

They also discovered some amphetamines and magic mushrooms, Teesside Crown Court heard from prosecutor David Crook.

Williamson admitted supplying cannabis and possessing the drug with intent to supply, saying he only supplied it to people he knew.

He was bailed and his home was raided again on May 30.

This time £1,141 worth of cannabis was found along with £94 worth of the Class A drug cocaine and a very small amount of “ground-up constituents of MDMA”.

Williamson admitted possession of the cocaine but denied possessing cannabis - found in his kitchen and bedroom - with intent to supply.

He was convicted by a jury after a trial which heard medical evidence of his health conditions.

Andrew White, defending, said: “He does suffer from arthritis to a significant degree. That puts him in significant pain.

“That problem has been compounded by his diagnosis in 2010 with Barrett’s syndrome, which affects his oesophagus.”

The condition meant he could not take painkillers commonly used for arthritis, and had to rely on paracetamol “which doesn’t touch the pain that he suffers”.

“Unfortunately he found that the only effective relief he was getting was from cannabis,” added Mr White.

“He used that of necessity in very high quantities.”

“He regrets what he’s done and apologises to your Lordship. He has clearly got himself involved in the supply of cannabis.”

Now Williamson had stopped taking cannabis and was being helped by his GP in finding a legal way to fight his pain.

“To some extent he doesn’t - he has to bear it,” said Mr White.

“But he’s off the cannabis and intends to remain that way.”

Williamson had never been to prison and was concerned about the effect of a jail term on his seven-year-old daughter, the court heard.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told the defendant: “This is street dealing. But you were not a main drug dealer.”

He said Williamson was dealing to “not a huge number of others” to make enough money to buy cannabis for his arthritis.

He took into account Williamson’s illnesses, the care of his daughter and a 10-year gap in his offending.

He added: “It took something by you to step back and desist from cannabis.

“I give you credit for that. For all those reasons I’m prepared to suspend this sentence.”

He gave Williamson a 13-month jail term suspended for two years with supervision and a four-month tagged curfew between 8pm and 7am.

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/cannabis-dealer-avoids-jail-after-8695307 22/02/2015