Man grew hash at home to avoid drug dealers

Sep 17 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A MAN with an “almost crucifying” drug addiction grew cannabis plants in his home to avoid coming into contact with drug dealers.

Hugh Latta Starrs’ solicitor told Livingston Sheriff Court his client had made inroads against his heroin addiction and cultivated the class B drugs to keep out of temptation’s way.

The defence agent said his 28-year-old client feared returning to heroin if he had to go to street dealers for his supply of cannabis.

And last week at the court Starrs, of Gardener Crescent, Whitburn, was handed 160 hours of community service after admitting cultivating the plants.

The court heard police officers were on duty in the Whitburn area on an unrelated matter when they stumbled on the drugs find at Starrs’ house.

Fiscal depute Victoria Greening said that on standing at his front door the two officers detected the strong smell of cannabis coming from his front door.

“On making inquiries the accused made admissions to having cannabis in his property and on searchinghis home six cannabis plantswere discovered,” the fiscal depute said.

Ms Greening added that the plants were valued at £150.

Starrs’ solicitor, Darryl Lovie, told the court Starrs had been a regular offender over the years.

“He has been notable by his absence in my office over the last three years and has managed to remain offence-free,” Mr Lovie said.

“It’s a matter of disappointment that he finds himself in the dock again facing a sheriff in this jurisdiction.

“He has made inroads against what has been an almost crucifyingdrug addiction to heroin over the years.”

Mr Lovie said the value of the drugs would have been hard to ascertain and should not have as much emphasis in the court’s mind as if it had been a charge of supplying the drug.

But Sheriff Martin Edington said the value was a relative consideration in how much effort had gone into the commission of the offence.

Ordering Starrs to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, Sheriff Edington said: “This is a very serious offence not withstanding what Mr Lovie has to say about whether the value plays a part or not.

“The bottom line here is you have not had a conviction in three years now and because of that, and for no other reason, I think it is appropriate to make you subject to a community service order.”