A Newport man who was found growing 4 cannabis plants in his flat has been fined £186.
Police visited the address of 33-year-old Samuel Aridegbe on 16th May after officers previously got a whiff of cannabis when they were visiting Hookes Way on other matters.
Within seconds of the door being opened, officers saw a dark room with a bright light emitting from it. It was discovered that cannabis was being grown inside the property, leading to the arrest of Aridegbe on suspicion of possession of a Class B drug and being concerned in the production of a Class B drug – 2 offences he pleaded guilty to at court on Friday.
Barry Arnett, defending, told the court that it was not a sophisticated set up with plants on top of paint pots with no ducting or wiring. The situation is said to have been brought about following the death of Aridegbe’s mother in June 2020 and then the loss of his job when the pandemic hit, spiralling into a depression.
Mr Arnett said his client had since sorted himself out and is once again able to see his 4 children every weekend, as well as holding a stable job in Lake.
Magistrates handed out a £186 fine and ordered Samuel Aridegbe to pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge – a total of £305.
I hope the police had a search warrant.
He should not have let them in.
At least the police armed response unit was not involved (for a change).
4 plants is only for personal use. hardly worth the paper work!
Another waster on the island. Clearly he was going to sell it. Should be banged up imo