JUDGE ISSUES WARNING ON DANGERS OF CANNABIS AFTER HAPTON TEEN'S CASE

A TEENAGER suffering cannabis-induced psychosis who attacked a
pensioner on her drive has been spared jail - as a judge hit out at
the dangers of the drug.

Burnley Crown Court heard how James Banks, 19, had been a voluntary
psychiatric patient at the town's hospital when he grabbed the
69-year-old victim, Esther Pritchard, as she unloaded her car and
dragged her to the top of her drive.

Banks, who seemed to be trying to grab her keys, was detained by two
male neighbours who heard the victim's screams and the car alarm going off.

The hearing was told the defendant was now back in hospital for at
least another fortnight for assessment under the Mental Health Act.

Judge Philip Butler said the best people to help Banks and to protect
the public were the psychiatric services.

Sentencing, the judge said: "Those misguided people who seem to
believe the use of cannabis is harmless would do well to read some of
the reports before me, because this 19-year-old man, from a good
family, has developed psychosis, thanks to the use of cannabis and
also ecstasy."

Banks, of Leigh Park, Hapton, had originally been charged with
attempted robbery, but admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.
He was given a three year community order with supervision.

Kevin Slack, prosecuting, said on January 7, Mrs Pritchard was
unloading her bags from her car at her home on Casterton Avenue when
Banks ran towards her.

He told her :"Give me the house keys," and grabbed her. She began to
cry for help, Banks refused to let go of the keys and the car alarm
went off.

Mr Slack said the victim was dragged down the drive and the noise
alerted three neighbours who came to her aid.

Inquiries revealed Banks had been a patient at nearby Burnley General
Hospital, where he was being treated for psychosis.

The court was told Banks was seriously physically injured 10 days
later. He had jumped from a motorway bridge over the M65.

John Maxwell, for Banks, said he had never intended to rob Mrs
Pritchard. She had not wanted him to be brought before the court.

Banks was now back in hospital for assessment after relapsing. Mental
health staff felt he had been under stress waiting to be sentenced.