Judge scolds drugs grower who begged for freedom

A FATHER who grew £24,000 worth of cannabis to pay off a drug debt was rebuked by a judge for grovelling in court.

Dozens of plants were found in the bedrooms of Carl McNair’s home in Kingshurst.

The 41-year-old was initially permitted to speak at Birmingham Crown Court as he tearfully said he was ‘sorry’ and explained that a drug dealer had forced him into it.

But Judge Peter Carr lost patience with the defendant, now of Sheldon, when he tried to talk again during the hearing – this time to plead not to be sent to prison.

Interjecting sharply he said: “Listen to me. Do not interrupt while I am passing sentence. If you listen to me you may hear something that is to your advantage.”

He told Mr McNair he would sentence him to 15 months but suspend the term for two years.

Judge Carr said he was not sending him to prison immediately because he was ‘impressed’ with character references that spoke of the defendant’s work ethic, as well as the fact his last criminal conviction was five years ago.

Mr McNair, of Sheldonfield Road, pleaded guilty to production of cannabis and failing to surrender to court.

Rebecca Da Silva, prosecuting, said police raided his old address in School Close on April 23 in response to a disturbance. They discovered 28 plants in two bedrooms of the property with an estimated street value of £23,520.

Mr McNair initially denied he was responsible for all of the drugs but failed to turn up to a trial of issue hearing last month, and ultimately had to accept responsibility for them.

Exdol Mitchell, defending, said Mr McNair grew eight cannabis plants for his own personal use but he was in rent arrears and had other debt.

He said: “He allowed two rooms to be used by others and turned a blind eye to the fact they were used to cultivate cannabis.”

Mr Mitchell said there was a ‘realistic prospect of rehabilitation’ and informed the court Mr McNair’s auntie – who he was said to be very close with – had died recently. The emotional defendant then addressed the court to elaborate – as well as aim a dig at his barrister.

He said: “I apologise for any inconvenience I’ve caused. I owed a drug dealer a lot of money. I was forced into it. I’ve worked hard all of my life. I wasn’t able to hold my aunt’s hand when she died. I will never forgive myself if I can’t go to her funeral. I am sorry for everything I have done. I have worked hard for the last 19 years to keep myself out of trouble. I have two children. I feel like my solicitor is not saying everything I needed to say.”