Exeter judge tells drug user to "grow up" after being convicted of growing cannabis plants  

A DRUG user has been told by a judge it is time to "grow up" after he admitted growing cannabis plants at his home.

Police followed their noses to the home of Andrew Jacobsen after members of the public had reported a strong cannabis smell in the area.

When officers arrived they discovered two tents in a bedroom growing a total of ten mature cannabis plants. They also uncovered amphetamines in his freezer.

At Exeter Crown Court Judge Phillip Wassall sentenced Jacobsen to six months in prison, suspended for two years. He must also carry out 100 hours unpaid work and was given a 12 month supervision order.

Judge Wassall told him: "You need to get out of the drug environment otherwise you are going to come back to court committing more and more offences.

"It is about time you give yourself a chance to grow up .The problem with cannabis growing is this. If the court accepts that it is for personal use the over production means some of it will get back into the chain.

"Why a 50-year-old would want to take speed, I just don't know."

Jacobsen pleaded guilty to possession of amphetamines and the production of cannabis.

Prosecuting, Janice Eagles, said: "On March 27 this year, police attended Sutherland Drive in Torquay after members of the public reported a smell of cannabis from the property.

"They followed their nose, which took them to the defendant's home. Police attended and were allowed in. They saw him try to dispose a cannabis grinder and saw a bong and fragments of cannabis on the shelf.

"They launched a search of the property and discovered a cannabis grow upstairs in the second bedroom.

"They found two grow tents and in each there were five mature cannabis plants."

The court heard that there was a discrepancy with the estimated street value of the cannabis between £4,000 and £8,000.

"It was substantial none the less," said Ms Eagles.

"The defendant was asked if he had anything else, and said there was amphetamines in the freezer. There were three half ounce deals with a value of £437."

In mitigation, the court heard that Jacobson was producing the cannabis for his own consumption

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exeter-judge-tells-drug-user-grow-convicted/story-23005752-detail/story.html 27/09/2014