Man caught trying to grow cannabis gets community service

Feb 18 2010 by Court Reporter, West Lothian Courier

A MAN caught trying to grow cannabis plants in his home has been ordered to undertake community service.

Wayne Roberts (30) of 9 Bryson Place, Bathgate, admitted to producing a controlled drug at a house in the town.

Livingston Sheriff Court heard that when sheriff officers entered the property they saw what they thought could be cannabis cultivation equipment.

They telephoned the police who searched the property and found seven plants and equipment for growing them in two bedrooms in the house.

The plants were field tested and confirmed to be cannabis and the accused confirmed he had been growing them for personal use. They were valued at £150 per plant, totalling £1050 for all seven.

Roberts’ solicitor Andy Aitken said his client accepted the cultivation of cannabis will always be treated seriously by the courts.

He said: “There is no suggestion that this cannabis was for anyone else other than himself.

“The plants were already dead or dying, Sinclair having given up on his attempt.

“He has now decided to change his life and spends his time weight-lifting at the local community centre.

“While he has an unenviable record for previous convictions, there are no analagous convictions.”

Ordering Roberts to carry out 80 hours of community service, Sheriff Graeme Fleming said: “So long as Parliament makes it an offence to grow cannabis I have to deal with you on that basis.

“I am satisfied that the production of this cannabis was for your own use.”