A DISABLED man was given a two-year conditional discharge after claiming he only smoked cannabis to ease pain.
Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard that former railman Antony Green was seen carrying tubs of cannabis plants near his home in St Michael’s Avenue, Bilborough.
Green, 50, admitted possessing six cannabis plants on May 23 last year. They will be destroyed and he was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs as well as a £15 Government surcharge.
He drove into the courtroom on a Shopmobility scooter with a walking stick hooked on the back. He was allowed to sit nearer the front of the room after saying he suffered from tinnitus.
Lianne Summers, in mitigation, handed in a statement from Green’s doctor, outlining medical problems. She said his marriage had broken up and he was living alone.
He “had to endure a lengthy court case” to get Disability Living Allowance, which was now being paid. In 2012, he was given a police caution for producing cannabis.
Miss Summers said: “It helps ease the pain of his condition. He is on very strong painkillers but they do not help with his medical condition.
“The doctor recognises Mr Green has smoked cannabis to assist. He does smoke when the pain becomes too much.”
She described Green as a “hard-working man” until he was made redundant more than two years ago from his job on the railways.
Wayne Wallis, prosecuting, said police received an anonymous call reporting that two men were taking boxes through a communal courtyard and were “behaving suspiciously”.
Green was later seen carrying items up a set of stairs. The police seized six cannabis plants in bin liners.
Mr Wallis said: “The defendant was arrested for possession of these. He said he was looking after them for somebody.”
Disabled man given conditional discharge after claiming he smoked cannabis to 'ease pain'
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