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09 August 2010
COMPLAINTS about the poor quality of a cannabis batch helped to convict a Clitheroe man for supplying the drug.

They were included in a group of text messages found on a mobile phone.
About six or seven people had been in contact, some requesting cannabis, with a dozen messages sent over several days.

Police found 26.4 grammes of cannabis when they searched Carl Gillibrand's home in Bawdlands, Clitheroe.

A judge at Preston Crown Court gave him a suspended sentence involving nine months' prison, suspended for two years, with 12 months' supervision and nine months' drug rehabilitation.

Gillibrand (31) had admitted supplying cannabis and possessing the drug with intent to supply. A drugs search was carried out at his address in June last year.

Mr Hugh Barton (prosecuting) said 24 snap bags of herbal cannabis were found in a bedroom ceiling lampshade. Police also found a "dealers' list" and notebook.

There was also a makeshift till on top of the microwave where more cannabis was found. In all, there was 26.4 grammes of cannabis.

Gillibrand initially told police he had been holding the drug for another man and denied being involved in supplying.

A number of phones were examined. One was found to contain text messages relating to cannabis supplying. Mr Barton said: "A number of messages appeared to be complaints about the poor quality of a particular batch of cannabis. There were also requests for supplying.

"The Crown says this suggests he was involved in regular commercial supplying. There were 10 or 12 messages between June 7th and 12th. There were six or seven customers."

Mr Adrian Williams (defending) said the drugs were a small quantity, with a value of around
260.

"He accepted he was selling cannabis to a small number of customers on a regular basis. He was securing his own supply of drugs, which was a significant habit, a daily one. He has a longstanding habit."

Judge Andrew Woolman said an immediate prison term would normally follow, but a number of matters had persuaded him to suspend the sentence.

Ear

Bongme