Middlesbrough man caught trying to import cannabis-laced sweets when parcel intercepted. Picture for illustrative purposes. (Image: police)
A man caught trying to illegally import cannabis products has been given a chance to rid himself of his own addiction after being given a suspended sentence.
Matthew Wearmouth’s home was raided after a parcel was intercepted by border forces and officers recovered cannabis and paraphernalia linked to drug dealing.
The 34-year-old had cannabis-laced sweets, mobile phones, a tick list and ziplock bags, in his Middlesbrough home when the raid took place in May last year.
Teesside Crown Court heard how one kilo of cannabis was seized by the border authorities when the parcel addressed to Wearmouth was intercepted.
onathan Walker, prosecuting, said a number of brightly coloured cannabis gummy sweets were also recovered from the defendant’s home address.
The prosecution offered no evidence on a further charge of importing magic mushrooms and a not guilty verdict was recorded.
Wearmouth, of Wayfaring Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and the illegal importation of cannabis.
Chris Morrison, mitigating, said his client had a longstanding cannabis addiction and was working on weaning himself of the drug.
He added: “He is an individual who took a wrong turn. The predominant issue in this case is his own substance misuse.
“Society’s better interest in this case might best be served by the imposition that addresses that aspect of the case.
“He has made efforts to address his consumption but he in, on occasion, still using these things.”
Recorder Paul Reid imposed a 16-month prison sentence suspended for two years and the drugs worth £1,000 were seized by authorities.
“The seizure resulted in the items, consisting of items packaged to look like sweets and they are described as edibles and consumed in considerable quantities by drug users,” he said.
“I’m satisfied that you have made a determination to rid yourself of this habit and the order I make will assist in that.”
Wearmouth was also ordered to attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, observe a 12-month drug testing requirement order and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.