Dad ‘thought he was above law’ growing dope at home

HE WAS CAUGHT CULTIVATING CANNABIS TWICE BY POLICE

A DERBY dad “thought he was above the law” when he ignored warnings to stop growing cannabis at his home.

Derby Crown Court heard how Kamil Gozdz had more than £5,000 of the class B drug when police searched his then address in Sunny Hill last year.

Having been released under investigation for that offence, a second warrant was issued after further reports of a smell of the illegal substance was received from people living near to the location.

Addressing the defendant directly, Recorder David Richards said: “Mr Gozdz, you have a young son, do you want to see him end up standing where you are?”

Speaking through a Polish interpreter, he replied: “No.”

Handing him an 18-month community order, Recorder Richards said: “Good.

“Police attended your address (on the first occasion) and they then went away and later interviewed you.

“But they came back to visit you because of another report of a smell of cannabis around your address and they found that you were doing it again with the same set-up.

“It was a relatively simple set-up, the kind you can buy off the internet, but (after the first visit) you thought you were above the law.

“But I have a report in front of me which tells me you are living in stable accommodation with your three-yearold son and that you have taken steps to address your cannabis habit and show remorse for your offending.”

Mark Achurch, prosecuting, said police executed their first warrant at the defendant’s then address in Keswick Avenue, on April 23, last year.

He said 16 cannabis plants were growing in a specially-adapted tent and that the potential yield from them would be between £1,080 and £3,240 in terms of cash.

Mr Achurch said: “There was also some 351g of cannabis drying out from a previous harvest worth around £2,000.

“He was arrested and gave a ‘no comment’ interview and was released under investigation.

“The police then went back again on July 15 with another warrant and this time he denied them access so they had to force their way into a garage where a further tent containing 21 plants was found.”

Gozdz, now of Burton Road, Derby, pleaded guilty to two counts of production of cannabis and possession of the class B drug.

Matthew Rowcliffe, mitigating, said his client now works on an assembly unit at a firm in Castle Donington.

When Recorder Richards told him he would not be sending him to prison, the barrister said he had “nothing useful to add” on behalf of the defendant.

As part of the community order, Gozdz must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. Recorder Richards also ordered him to pay £300 prosecution costs.