Head chef at one of the region's best restaurants caught growing cannabis with his fruit and veg
CONVICTED: Chef Roland Leonard said he wants to stand up for responsible cannabis users (one of his cannabis plants, inset
CONVICTED: Chef Roland Leonard said he wants to stand up for responsible cannabis users (one of his cannabis plants, inset
THE head chef of a Michelin-rated restaurant has admitted growing cannabis plants alongside his fruit and veg.
Roland Leonard was arrested following a police raid at his home in Sandy Lane, West Hoathly on October 2.
More than 20 cannabis plants were found, some of which were growing alongside his tomatoes.
The 43-year-old is the head chef at The Cat Inn, one of the region’s most prestigious restaurants.
Known locally as Max Leonard, he admitted a charge of production of a Class B drug, which he said was for his own personal use, at Crawley Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday.
Speaking to the Courier after the hearing, he said: “I want to stand up and represent the tens of thousands of people who are responsible cannabis users.
“I work very long hours day and night – often up to 70 hours a week – and I use cannabis to help me unwind.
“It really helps me to cope with a high pressure job and I can’t see that I’m causing any harm to anyone else by using it.
“Everything I do is organic and self-sufficient, including the home-grown cannabis.
“But the bottom line is I’m not allowed to grow it any more so I won’t be using it any more.”
Prior to his arrest, Leonard had handed in his notice at The Cat Inn and is taking up a post at the Sharpthorne Organic Café, where he will work with children with learning difficulties.
He said that both his current and future employers are aware of the conviction, but it has not affected his circumstances.
The dad-of-one pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Prosecutor Mark Kateley told the court: “On October 2 there was a drugs warrant executed at a premises in West Hoathly. Mr Leonard was there and, initially, when police entered the rear garden, they discovered approximately seven cannabis plants inside a plastic greenhouse.
“The defendant was elsewhere, at a local pub, where he was located and arrested.
“When conveyed back home, he provided officers with a front door key and a search of a bedroom was carried out, where a further 13 plants were found in addition to equipment such as heat lamps and blackout blinds.
“He informed the officers he is a user of cannabis, which he smokes for his own personal purposes.
“He admitted cultivation, albeit on a personal basis for his own benefit.”
The court heard there was no evidence of him dealing the drug.
Christos Christou, speaking in mitigation, said the cannabis was not intended for anyone other than his client adding: “The defendant is a chef, but is due to commence
employment at a charity establishment to work with children with learning difficulties.
“In his 30s he was drinking heavily every night – often consuming half a bottle of gin – but he has since turned to cannabis to deal with stress and anxiety. The reason he grew cannabis at home is because he didn’t want to involve himself in the criminal activity of going out on to the streets to buy it.
“The plants were grown in his home and in the soil in the garden alongside tomatoes and other vegetables.
“He is now due to go to his doctor to seek alternative medication.
“His career up to now has been very good; this was simply a minor blip.”
Leonard was fined £340 and ordered to pay further costs of £119.
Magistrates also approved a forfeiture and destruction order for the drugs.
The Cat Inn has been awarded the prestigious Michelin Bib on several occasions for offering “high-quality food at reasonable prices”.
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