USER HAD BAGS OF WEED INSIDE ‘CHOCOLATE TUB’

Woman abused cops called in by pub workers

CANNABIS user Linda Williams was caught with several bags of weed – inside a Celebrations tub at a town centre pub.

The 55-year-old was at The Crafty Lion, in Stoke, when staff reported her to the police.

But Williams labelled the officers ‘faggots’ when they arrived at the Church Street venue. She was taken to a police station where she admitted being a cannabis user for the past 30 years and said it was for her personal use.

Now Williams has been hit with a £299 court bill at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.

Prosecutor Emma Thompson said: “On July 10 last year in the early hours of the morning, the police were called to The Crafty Lion following a report from staff that the defendant had arrived and was believed to have cannabis on her. Police attended the public house and the defendant was identified to police.

“Officers approached the defendant to speak to her. She instantly became aggressive and abusive towards them and stuck up two fingers at them.

“There were bags of what was believed to be cannabis inside a Celebrations tub. The defendant continued to be abusive on the way to the police station calling them ‘faggots’.

“At the police station she was spoken to and did make some admissions regarding the cannabis – saying ‘I’ve smoked cannabis for 30 years for my own personal use’. Despite attending the public house with numerous bags of cannabis, she said it was for personal use.”

Williams, of Stubbs Lane, Hanley, pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug of Class B – cannabis.

Mark Harrison, mitigating, said: “This offence dates back to July 2021. It’s of some age.”

Williams was ordered to pay an £80 fine, £185 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.