Array of cannabis found with depressed man who liked ‘natural remedies’

AN array of varieties and flavours of cannabis were found at the home of a would-be supplier, who also had vacuum packaging equipment, a court heard.

Police officers carried out a search at the Glenfield home of James Barton and discovered 28 separate quantities of the class B drug, some sealed in bags with labels on, that had a collective street value of up to £2,755.

Barton, 36, who has a previous conviction, admitted possessing cannabis, with intent to supply, on July 5, and breaching a 10-month suspended jail sentence.

Leicester Crown Court was told he had shunned prescription drugs for mental health issues in favour of medicating himself with “natural remedies” by using cannabis.

Lynsey Knott, prosecuting, said: “The defendant directed the officers who were executing a search warrant to his garage where there was a quantity of cannabis and various items associated with drugs.

“There were bottles of cannabis liquid, a container of cannabis extract, a jar containing 10 grams of cannabis and vacuum-seal bags with a sealer.”

The court was told the air-tight bags could be used to preserve cannabis or to send cannabis in the post “with minimum risk of detection”.

Miss Knott said: “Inside the house were 11 sealed bags of the drug and a tin containing 38 grams. There were several types of cannabis with different labels, like having different brands, and in various flavours.”

The total seized amounted to 247 grams. It had a wholesale value of up to £2,085 and a potential street value of £2,755.

Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: “You were before His Honour Judge (Robert) Brown in October last year for possessing cannabis with intent to supply in March 2017. He gave you a chance.

“He imposed 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and when he suspended the sentence BOZZie sheffi, mitigating, said Barton was “a house husband and full-time father” who had formerly worked for British Gas for 10 years – where he was subjected to “bullying” and was signed off sick for about a year.

she said in a letter to the court, Barton regretted the “emotions and heartache” he had caused his wife and family, especially since

he would have told you, in the clearest possible terms, what the consequences would be for breaching it with a further offence.

“The reality is you just ignored what you were told last October.

“The police came to your home in July, no doubt on information received. You pointed them to the direction of your stash, which hadn’t being remanded into custody, but had learned from his mistakes.

Miss sheffi said: “He’s suffered with mental health issues.

“rather than accept the medication he was offered he decided to self-medicate, as so many others do.

“He knows it was wrong. “He’s had a short, sharp shock by being remanded into custody.”

just come into your possession on that day.

“You should have realised last October what the consequences would be for your family if you reoffended. You just took no notice of what you were told.”

The judge said he accepted the defendant had a history of depression.

He said: “I’ve read letters from your family and I feel for your wife and children, but you’re the person who placed them in this position. An immediate custodial sentence is inevitable.”

Defending, Bozzie Sheffi said: “His young family has been severely affected by what Mr Barton has done.

He has to accept he was given a chance from the court.

“We’re talking about second chances and that’s what I’m asking you to do today.”

Barton, of May Drive, Glenfield, was jailed for a total of 14 months.

He also admitted possessing criminal property, £200 seized on his arrest, which was confiscated by the court.