Knifeman gets extra jail time for growing cannabis in flat
A yob serving a stretch for a knife rammy has had his sentence extended for growing cannabis.
John Bowskill, 47, was handed 18 months for threatening cops while in possession of a lockback knife during a disturbance in the town’s Glen Street.
He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday after pleading guilty to cultivating around £1,200 worth of the Class-B drug at his flat.
The drug abuser was snared after police visited his home and noticed the smell of the drug.
Prosecutor John Penman told how the distinctive scent gave him away.
He said: “They detected what they describe as a smell of cannabis coming from the kitchen.
“Officers found what’s described as, ‘a fully grown cannabis plant’ in the doorway of the living room.”
Bowskill was arrested on December 22 last year when officers obtained a search warrant to oearch the rest of the flat.
They found five plants, along with lights, fans and growing equipment.
Prosecutors valued the crop at around £1,200.
Yesterday Bowskill appeared in the dock for sentencing before Sheriff Frances McCartney, who had called for background reports prior to deciding his fate.
His defence agent Anthony Boreland said: “This matter had been deferred to await the outcome of a charge on indictment to which he pleaded guilty.
“He was sentenced to 18 months and he appreciates the court will have very little options in dealing with him.
“I would ask the court to consider the terms of the report.
“While in custody he has self-referred with the addiction services for help. He has reduced the level of drugs and has been making attempts to wean himself off drugs as much as he can.”
The lawyer urged the court to take into account the “significant time” Bowskill was already facing behind bars in imposing its sentence.
Sheriff McCartney handed him an additional 108 days in jail after the completion of his current stretch.
Bowskill, who threatened to headbutt officers called to a disturbance at Glen Street, was found with the lockback knife stashed in his shorts on October 11 last year.