Nwicker60
22-Aug-13, 08:17
Accused grew drug to ease partner's arthritis
A SHERIFF heard yesterday about one of the smallest-ever, illegal cannabis operations in the Highlands - a single plant - grown for medical reasons.
The operator, Alistair Baldock, cultivated it to help ease his partner's ostio-arthritis in rural Caithness, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday. Baldock 51, admitted growing the Class B drug at their home, The Bungalow, Braehour, Scotscalder.
The “very-small- scale operation” came to light when police raided the house on March 31, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Baldock, 51, took them to a bedroom cupboard housing the modest enterprise... a single cannabis plant minus some of its leaves.
David Barclay, prosecuting, said that the usual foil and lighting equipment, associated with such operations, were also recovered.
Solicitor Alex Burn stressed that there was no question of it having been a commercial enterprise. Baldock had grown the cannabis exclusively for the benefit of his partner, Kay Watt, who suffered from severe, ostio-arthritis.
Mr Burn told the court: “She had difficulty getting up the court steps today. The accused simply grew the plant to give her some pain relief.”
Sheriff John Rafferty said that taking account of Baldock’s age and the circumstances of the offence, he would deal with it by way of a monetary penalty and would restrict the fine to one of £410.
A SHERIFF heard yesterday about one of the smallest-ever, illegal cannabis operations in the Highlands - a single plant - grown for medical reasons.
The operator, Alistair Baldock, cultivated it to help ease his partner's ostio-arthritis in rural Caithness, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday. Baldock 51, admitted growing the Class B drug at their home, The Bungalow, Braehour, Scotscalder.
The “very-small- scale operation” came to light when police raided the house on March 31, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Baldock, 51, took them to a bedroom cupboard housing the modest enterprise... a single cannabis plant minus some of its leaves.
David Barclay, prosecuting, said that the usual foil and lighting equipment, associated with such operations, were also recovered.
Solicitor Alex Burn stressed that there was no question of it having been a commercial enterprise. Baldock had grown the cannabis exclusively for the benefit of his partner, Kay Watt, who suffered from severe, ostio-arthritis.
Mr Burn told the court: “She had difficulty getting up the court steps today. The accused simply grew the plant to give her some pain relief.”
Sheriff John Rafferty said that taking account of Baldock’s age and the circumstances of the offence, he would deal with it by way of a monetary penalty and would restrict the fine to one of £410.