Hash in West Lothian attic leads to £530 fine

Nov 5 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A MAN caught growing cannabis plants in his loft has been fined.

Police officers had gone to Allan Meek’s two-bedroom flat to speak to him about an unrelated matter but stumbled across the drugs.

Fiscal depute Robert Shields explained to Livingston Sheriff Court: “The officers came to the impression that he was reluctant to let them enter the house.

“The officers also detected a smell which was consistent with cannabis.

“A cursory search of the house resulted in nothing being found.

“The officers said they were considering securing the house in order to obtain a search warrant but Meek said that would not be necessary.

“When he took them upstairs and showed them around, he said there were cannabis plants in the house.

“They went into the loft where there were two rooms which contained nine plants and 16 seedlings.

“They were lighted and heated. Officers attended and they were removed.

“The accused was later interviewed and said he was responsible for it to supply his own needs.”

Last week at the court, Meek, whose address was given as Lanrigg Road, Fauldhouse, pled guilty to producing the Class C drug at his home.

His solicitor, Kevin Dugan, said his client had immediately admitted the offence when questioned by police officers.

Mr Dugan added: “He pled guilty after the case was reduced from solemn to a summary matter.

“He has never appeared in court before and has no outstanding cases.

“He presents as a low risk of re-offending and seems to have learned his lesson from this.

“There has been no attempt from him to commit a similar offence by trying to grown his own or take cannabis.”

Fining Meek £530 for the offence, Sheriff Shelagh McCall said she has taken into account that the 39-year-old was a first offender and had co-operated with the police.

Sheriff McCall added: “Nonetheless, this was a fairly concerted effort to produce drugs involving heating and lighting.

“The court treats this as a serious offence but, given your previous good character, I am prepared to deal with you by means of a financial penalty.”