Mum and son in court after cannabis found during raid
A MOTHER whose son started smoking cannabis when he was 13 took him to Newport so he could buy more of the drug to sell.
Andree Scammell and her son Thomas Scammell were caught with £180 worth of the Class B drug and £70 in cash when the police raided their home in Bridgend.
In her police interview, single mum Andree Scammell told officers she felt “pressurised” by her son.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the offending occurred over a 10-month period starting in April last year.
John Lloyd, prosecuting, said the police searched their home address in Clos Helyg, North Cornelly, on February 24.
Officers found 16g of cannabis with a potential street value of £180, along with a set of digital scales, some grip seal bags and £70 in cash.
Prosecutors said they examined the defendants’ phones and found “incriminating” messages.
Thomas Scammell told police he was a cannabis user and could not afford to buy it on the benefits he was receiving.
He accepted buying an ounce a week and keeping 8g for personal use, then selling underweight deals in order to make a profit to buy his next batch.
Andree Scammell stated she had been involved in selling cannabis from the family home on behalf of her son.
She admitted taking him to Newport once to buy further supplies.
She said she understood what she was doing, but felt pressurised by her son to continue helping him.
They both pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins described the offending as “low level street supply”.
Mother and son were both given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge.
Thomas Scammell must carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and complete 10 days of a rehabilitation activity designed to address substance misuse and thinking skills.
Andree Scammell must pay a £30 fine and complete 10 days of a rehabilitation activity.
The judge made an order for the cannabis to be destroyed and the cash to be forfeited.