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Monday, 09 August 2010



Police raided the home of David Paul Bell in Bristol Street, Walney, on July 20. When officers went into the front bedroom, they found nine, two-foot cannabis plants and related equipment in his wardrobe.

Miss Katie Marsden, prosecuting at Furness Magistrates’ Court, said Bell told police he had grown the class-B drug for personal use.

She said: “In interview he made a full and frank admission, he said he bought seeds and the equipment off the internet for around
300. He had been growing the plants for five weeks.”

Bell, a 43-year-old former heroin addict, told police he used three grams of cannabis a day and had expected his plants to last him until Christmas.

Miss Marsden said: “He said he didn’t feel he was doing anything wrong growing them for himself and that he wasn’t harming anyone. He said he doesn’t sell it and it was for his own use.”

The court heard Bell had three previous convictions for drug offences, as well as a caution in 2008 for production of cannabis.

Mr Mike Graham, defending, said: “The set-up was unprofessional and was certainly not a commercial venture. He has a physical disability as a result of historic substance abuse and uses cannabis as a relaxant and de-stresser. He voluntarily attends a drug abuse programme and has been on methadone for eight months.”

District judge, Gerald Chalk, interjected, saying: “But he still wants to use cannabis?”

Through his solicitor, Bell admitted he wanted to continue using the drug.

Bell admitted producing a class-B controlled drug and was given a curfew requiring him to stay indoors between 9pm and 6am for the next 15 weeks.

The judge said: “You were prepared to grow your own cannabis for your own use. If you continue to use cannabis, you do face the risk of going to prison.”

Bell was also ordered to pay
85 costs. The judge also ordered the destruction of the drugs and equipment.

After Tuesday’s court case, Detective Sergeant Jim Bailey, of Barrow drugs squad, said: “The production and cultivation of cannabis is a serious offence, regardless of if it’s for your own use or onward supply.”

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