Telford man who self-medicated with cannabis avoids jail

Lawrence Arthurs, 48, was handed a one year sentence, suspended for two years, after admitting having 77 plants in his home in Anstice Road, Madeley.

The court was told that the heavy vehicle driver used the cannabis to self-medicate for anxiety and depression.

He was ordered by Judge Peter Barrie on Thursday to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 10 days of drug rehabilitation activity.

Nigel Stelling, prosecuting, said police searched Arthurs’ house on October 5 and found two areas where cannabis plants were growing. One had a crop of 40 plants, which were eight to 10 weeks from maturity.

Had all the plants survived and been left to mature and harvest, Mr Stelling said they would have produced somewhere between 72 and 80 ounces of cannabis, with a street value of £12,960 to £16,000.

Mr Stelling said the other group of 37 plants was still “some months away from reaching maturity and producing a crop” and did not assign a value.

Police found no paraphernalia associated with dividing or packaging drugs, but there was evidence Arthurs had previously grown the plants.

Representing Arthurs, Stephen Scully said that he cared for his elderly mother and was now getting legal care for his conditions.

Judge Barrie said: “You were found to have established at your home a serious and competent set up for cannabis plants. There was evidence that there had been a previous crop as well.”

An order was made for all of the plants to be seized and destroyed.