Man convicted for possessing cannabis

Matthew William Holmes, 24, of Fairfield Road, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug at High Peak Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Buxton, last Wednesday.

The court heard police attended the defendant’s home on March 25th and they found 12.5g of cannabis in his bedroom, of which the wholesale value was between £90 and £130.

Holmes admitted the drugs belonged to him and said they were for his own personal use but would not reveal who his supplier was,

John Cooper, prosecuting, said that the defendant’s previous convictions included one for possession of cannabis in 2007, 2011 and 2012, and MDMA in 2009.

Kirsten Collins, defending, said it had been 12 months since her client’s last conviction and the value of the drugs found in his room did not cross the custody threshold.

A report, prepared by probation, said that Holmes was claiming job seeker’s allowance and on incapacity benefits for an injury.

Holmes said he said had been using cannabis since he was 13 instead of drinking alcohol, which would have got him into “more trouble”.

He told magistrates there was no point giving him a drugs rehabilitation order as he wasn’t ready to quit.

Pam Ashton, chairman of the Bench, sentenced him to a community order consisting of a six-month supervision order and 60 hours of unpaid work.

Holmes was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.