63-year-old cannabis farmer avoids prison
A DRUG DEALER who was growing cannabis with a potential street value of over £13,000 in his home has escaped a jail term.
John Stewart Trewartha, 63, was operating a cannabis farm from his home in White Lee Gardens, Mytholmroyd.
When police raided the property on August 12, 2011 they found 37 cannabis plants and £5,000 in cash.
His Honour Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said: “Growing cannabis will not do. Everybody thinks you’re a bit of an amateur here, with growing and selling cannabis.
“You are a very accomplished musician and I think you overlooked the seriousness of this.
“If I see you in here again, you will receive a custodial sentence.”
Trewartha admitted growing cannabis for two years and told police he supplied it to a small group of friends to fund his own drug habit. He said he made £2,000 a month from dealing.
When asked about the £5,000, Trewartha told police he was a self-employed taxi driver and had been keeping some money back from the Inland Revenue for the last five years.
Officers also found a quantity of cannabis with a potential street value of £1,200 during the raid, as well as a dehumidifier and drugs paraphernalia.
He was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work in the community and Judge Durham Hall told him he would not be so lucky next time.
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
63-year-old cannabis farmer avoids prison - Local - Halifax Courier
