Llanelli war veteran injured in Iraq admits possession of cannabis  

A LLANELLI war veteran who was injured in an explosion in Iraq has admitted possessing cannabis.

Spencer Christian Beynon, 40, of Mayfield Lodge on Llannon Road, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates' Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to possessing 2.8 grams of the Class B substance on June 8.Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan told the court that police attended a property on Gelli Deg in Llanelli at around 8pm on Saturday, June 8.

"Police smelt a strong smell of cannabis," she told the court.

"Following a search, in his pocket was a plastic bag containing herbal cannabis."

She said a further small amount was found on a kitchen worktop.

Beynon was then arrested and interviewed, telling police he didn't buy cannabis but sometimes smoked it with friends.

Mitigating, Richard Morgan said Beynon had been a member of the armed forces for many years and suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Morgan said: "He's seen several tours of duty.

"Back in 2007, he served in Iraq and had the traumatic experience of seeing close friends lose their lives.

"He's seen four of his friends lose their lives in difficult circumstances during a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"In 2010 there was an explosion that resulted in him suffering a significant back injury which saw the end of his active service."

Mr Morgan said Beynon had struggled to come to terms with the injury and his experiences.

"He regularly travels to Cardiff for counselling," he told the court.

"He has given a great deal to protect this country.

"He has the adverse effects both physically and mentally.

"He tells me he was having medication to deal with this.

"When he feels the medication isn't working, he would have some cannabis to help relieve his symptoms, but he doesn't have any addiction to the drug.

"It's almost on a medical basis."

Sentencing Beynon, magistrates thanked him for his involvement with the armed forces and handed him a conditional discharge to last six months.

He must also pay £85 towards courts costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 13/07/2013