Cannabis user: 'I was taught to kick walls'
A cannabis smoker who damaged a wall and bookcase at sheltered housing told magistrates he had been taught to attack objects rather than humans.
A cannabis smoker who damaged a wall and bookcase at sheltered housing told magistrates he had been taught to attack objects rather than humans.
Daniel Turner, 27, lashed out because he was upset that he was being accused of smoking the class B drug when he claimed others were allowed to take "evil drugs" such as heroin and crack cocaine, Cambridge magistrates heard on Wednesday.
In one of several outbursts in court, Turner said: "I was brought up to kick a wall. I was told that by teachers, that it was better than hitting a person."
His lawyer Jacqui Baldwin, mitigating, said her client was referring to how he was told to cope with his behavioural problems as a child by releasing his anger on "inanimate objects" rather than people.
Describing the incident earlier this year, Ms Baldwin said: "He was approached by staff who were concerned about the smell of cannabis, of him smoking cannabis. But he said: ‘You allow other people here to smoke heroin and crack,' which he thinks are drugs of the devil."
She added that his behaviour by attacking property was not acceptable as an adult.
Laura Mardell, prosecuting, said Turner had committed two acts of criminal damage on January 15 at the Stonham Housing Association property in Elizabeth Way, which provides temporary accommodation for ex-offenders.
She said: "He damaged a bookcase in the TV room by kicking it twice with his right foot causing the middle shelf to break. He then kicked the wall, creating a hole three inches in length and 2.5 inches high."
Malcolm Kane, chairman of the bench, told Turner: "You really must learn to control your behaviour, both in court and out of court."
He was fined £50 for each count and was told to pay £104 compensation to the housing association to cover the damage.
Turner, who is unemployed, was evicted from the accommodation after the incident.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk 11/05/2012
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