JUDGE'S CANNABIS WARNING

A Norwich crown court judge has branded cannabis resin as a dangerous and
addicitive drug which causes users endless problems.

Judge Paul Downes made his remarks yesterday as he jailed small time Great
Yarmouth dealer Ian Fox to 15 months in prison.

The court heard that unemployed Fox, who had smoked the drug for 20 years
and believes it should be legalised, started dealing to finance his own use.

Fox, 39, of Stephenson close, Yarmouth, admitted three charges of supplying
the drug from a freinds home in the town between last december and april.

His friend, mother of four Samantha Hume, 27, was ordered to do 100 hours
community service, after she admitted possessing the drug and allowing her
Clarendon Close home to be used for its supply.

Judge Downs, who was sitting with two magistrates, told Fox, "It is quite
clear that you take the view that cannabis should not be illegal".

"Whatever your views on that, it is illegal and if you are found in
possession of it you are breaking the law".

"The court takes the view that it is a dangerous drug and can cause endless
problems for people who get addicted to it".

Prosecutor Katherine Moore said that police had been watching Humes home,
which they raided on April 9.

They found some cannabis resin.

Fox admitted he had been dealing, making about 45 pounds a week, but the
exact amounts in the transactions were disputed.

Davis Wilson, for Fox, said he had 10,000 pounds worth of debts from his
cafe business and would sometimes go without food for several days to pay
for his cannabis habit.

He had started supplying the drug to finance his own use.

Marcus Pearce, for Hume, said "She has learned her lesson, she has learned
it the hard way".

Checked-by: Pat Dolan