'I'm a free man blud': Cannabis cultivator's Facebook boasts after he's spared jail  

A DJ who admitted running a cannabis farm in his loft and stealing electricity by bypassing a meter while on a suspended jail term walked free from court this week.

Fabrice Williams, 24, of St Nicholas Road, Witham, was arrested on July 23 after police raided his house and found 30 plants and the sophisticated "hydroponics" equipment needed for them to thrive.

Cannabis was also found in a Tupperware box in the kitchen along with £1,500. Officers also discovered the home's electricity meter had been tampered with so that it was not being paid for.

Williams had already pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a Class B drug, one count of cultivating cannabis, and one count of dishonest use of electricity at an earlier hearing.

But Williams again walked free from Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday. As he strutted down New Street talking on the phone, he shouted: "They only gave me six months suspended - I'm a free man, blud."

He later bragged on Facebook only ten minutes after leaving court: "I love the system. Hahahaha this the only time you will hear me say this! Free as a bird KAPOWW!"

Police could find no evidence on mobile phones seized of Williams selling the cannabis to others.

Gavin Burrell, mitigating, said: "Most of the 30 plants were relatively young and none were being offered for sale.

"He has accepted he has an addiction to cannabis and found out online how to grow cannabis as an investment.

"He has also been doing voluntary work in the building trade and he is a DJ, which can often involve working until 4am.

"The £1,500 was for the sale of a car that was sold for £1,900 that was being kept in reserve for the family."

The court also heard how he is the sole breadwinner for his partner and three children.

Williams was already serving a suspended sentence for stealing a car and driving without insurance or a licence.

He had also appeared in court on Tuesday for breaching breached a court order related to this conviction for aggravated vehicle taking in April.

The court was told that Williams had taken his partner's silver BMW without asking and drove down Flora Road, Witham.

He lost control of the vehicle before hitting a tree - all while under the influence of cannabis.

Williams was sentenced to nine months in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work. The court also heard about Williams' previous 16 convictions, including possession of cannabis in 2005 and 2008.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC sentenced Williams to a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with an additional 30 hours unpaid work to "reflect on the breach of the suspended sentence".

The cannabis plants were ordered to be destroyed and Williams also forfeited the cash seized by police.

http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk 17/10/2013