Olympian admits growing cannabis for his own use  

A FORMER British Olympic cyclist caught growing 37 cannabis plants at his Carmarthenshire home had grown it for his own use, after using the drug for 18 years.

Recorder David Aubrey agreed that Darryl Webster, 50, had not intended to supply anyone with the plants found at his home and a property belonging to his partner.

Webster, who lives in Pencader, near Carmarthen, was known for his opposition to drug use in the sport during his heyday. He represented Great Britain at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and also won 23 national titles.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court for a trial of issue as to the use of his cultivation.

He pleaded guilty to growing the plants but had previously told Recorder Aubrey that it was for his personal needs alone.

Webster claimed that he used it to help with anxiety and usually took half an ounce a day - either by smoking or using a vaporiser.

His barrister, Georgina Buckley, went through her client's bank account with him, during which he confirmed that payments into his HSBC account in Carmarthenshire were from housing cost contributions from lodgers and his partner. He also said he did occasional work as a counsellor.

Prosecutor, Catherine Richards, told the court how officers had found lights and plants in two or three rooms at a property called Spring Cottage. Twenty-eight plants were found there.

When they went to Webster's home address at Dol Awel, they found a further nine plants.

In total, over two months after all plants had matured, there was 2.48kg of the drug.

Cash of £1000 was also found - but Webster said this was from the sale of his partner, Rosalin Redford's, caravan. She took to the stand to confirm this.

Ms Buckley added that since his arrest last year, her client had been clean of the drug.

Recorder Aubrey, sentencing Webster, said he was impressed to hear that for the first time in 18 years he was clean.

He gave him a three year community order, with 300 hours of unpaid work.

He must take part in nine sessions dealing with substance misuse and is also subject to a supervision order for three years. Webster must also pay £250 court costs.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk 03/07/2013