AFTER keeping out of trouble for almost two decades a Warrington dad found himself back in the dock after becoming addicted to cannabis, a court heard.
David Currie started supplying to friends and acquaintances, making a small profit but was caught out when driving under the influence of the drug.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today (Mon) that at 6.30 pm on August 31, 2022, he was stopped by police while driving and they instantly noticed a strong smell of cannabis.
He and his car were searched and two bags of cannabis weighing six and a half grams were found which would have sold for £60. Officers also recovered £5,580 cash and a telephone, said Iain Criddle, prosecuting.
When his phone was analysed it contained three messages requesting cannabis. When interviewed he said he sold the drug to friends for a small profit.
Sarah Griffin, defending, said that 50-year-old Currie only accepted that £300 of the cash related to drug dealing and this was accepted by the prosecution.
He expected to receive £80 for the cannabis found on him or three bags of cali weed, a strong strain of the drug.
The court heard that Currie, formerly of Grasmere Avenue, Poplars and Hulme, had been heavily convicted until 2003 and had then been offence-free until he was stopped with the drugs. He has already been sentenced for drug driving.
Currie, of Andover Close, Padgate, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
“He is a family man who became addicted to cannabis and that is what he became involved in this offending,” said Miss Griffin.
He made a decision in 2003 not to re-offend and stayed offence-free for 19 years. “Since 2022 he has managed to remain entirely out of trouble.”
He is no longer in a relationship with the mother of his two sons, one of whom is a talented football player, but they still live together and he supports the children. Miss Griffin added that he suffers from mental health difficulties.
Judge Katherine Pierpoint told him, “You think there is nothing wrong with smoking cannabis. The fact is it is illegal. Those who smoke it affect their health and that of their family.
She said that there had been “an explicable delay” in bringing the case to court and it was to his credit that he had remained offences free.
Judge Pierpoint imposed a 18 month community order, a six month drugs rehabilitation requirement and a six month mental health treatment requirement.
She also imposed a two month curfew between 8pm – 6.30 am.
