‘Cannabis farm an experiment’

Dealer had plants growing in a caravan

A MAN was yesterday handed 240 hours of community service after he was caught growing cannabis in a caravan “as an experiment’’.

Ryan Daniel Charles Ruddy was told by a judge he was now at a “crossroads’’ in his life – either change his drug-dealing behaviour or go to prison.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis, possession of Class B and C drugs, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Prosecution lawyer Michael Mcaleer told Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, that on July 4, 2015, police carried out a search of the caravan and found “two mature cannabis plants’’ and seven seedlings with a street value of £9,000.

A bag containing 0.68 grammes of Class C drug methylmethcathinone was also found. Ruddy, of Carnenny Lane in Pomeroy, Co Tyrone, told police he had grown the cannabis as an “experiment’’ for his own use, adding: “I didn’t think it would work.’’

The court heard officers discovered five messages on the defendant’s mobile phone which related to his “drug-dealing activities’’.

Ruddy’s lawyer said his client had been abusing drugs since he was 14. He added he was the father of a one-year-old child and was “moving away from the use of drugs’’ and trying to change his life. Judge Stephen Fowler told Ruddy: “I am going to give you that opportunity. I am going to impose a sentence of 240 hours community service but I must warn you if you breach this you will be brought back before me and it is highly likely you will be going to jail.’’