JUDGE'S ANGER OVER CASUAL ATTITUDE TO CANNABIS

A Judge has sounded a warning on the dangers of cannabis use and the
damage it can cause.

Judge Christopher Cornwall made his comments while sentencing a Fylde
coast man caught with 30g of the drug at his home.

Paul Hadgraft was described as a regular cannabis user who believed
the drug had a calming effect.

His intention had been to supply the drug to fellow
users.

But at Preston Crown Court, the judge told him: "You, as best as I can
tell, regard cannabis as relatively harmless and think it is
acceptable to use it as recreational activity.

"The truth is, it is a dangerous drug, that does untold damage and is
doing untold damage to you.

"That is damage which will only get worse if you continue to use the
drug."

Hadgraft, 26, was arrested after police searched his home on
Martindale Avenue, Fleetwood, in January.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply.

Kirsten McAteer, prosecuting, said text messages were found on a
phone.

One such message read "have you got any green mate?" Another one asked
for a "lay on".

In police interview, Hadgraft said the drugs were for his own personal
use and he had bought them for UKP140.

He had 17 previous offences on his record.

Michael Murray, defending, told the court: "It is dawning on him that
cannabis is not as innocent as a lot of people would suspect.

"He says it is his wish to rid himself of what is clearly an addiction
to cannabis.

"He has been taking it for quite some time, by his own admission, so
have friends of his.

"That has led him to the dock.

"He wasn't making any money for recreational use, other than buying
more cannabis to use himself and to pass on to friends.

"That has been the pattern."

Hadgraft was given a sentence of 26 weeks prison, suspended for 18
months, with 18 months supervision.

The judge also told him: "You are a regular user of cannabis and have
been for some time.

"It is a drug that is capable of completely distorting a person's
thinking.

"Yours is completely distorted.

"It causes immense concern in the community, for the other decent
people who have to live in close contact with people who are using,
abusing and supplying this drug."