Habitual cannabis user faces jail

A HABITUAL cannabis user, involved with an Ipswich youth club, faces jail after being caught with £800 of the drug just months after being handed a suspended sentence.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court heard that Marcus Livermore, 35, of Bramford Road, Ipswich, was found to have more than 150 grams of the potent “skunk” variety of the drug when officers executed a search warrant at his home on March 22.

Livermore pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cannabis.

Naomi Turner, prosecuting, said besides the drugs, officers also found weighing scales, cannabis seeds, drug paraphernalia, and hydroponic growing equipment.

She said that during interview Livermore claimed the drugs were for personal use and he would routinely buy large amounts to last him up to a month.

Ms Turner said: “He said he had purchased the drug for £100 and smokes five or six joints a day.

“He said he had the scales to make sure he doesn't overdose when rolling a joint.”

Ms Turner said drugs officers estimated the value of the drugs found at £800.

Roger Thomson, mitigating, said police had overestimated the value of the drugs.

He said: “The drugs weighed five ounces when wet but it was on a tray drying.

“It had only recently been picked by the person he bought it off.

“One would expect it to reduce by two thirds over time as it dried. The weight of five ounces and value of £800 is way off.”

Mr Thomson said his client's 12-week suspended sentence was imposed in January for possession of cannabis and possession of an offensive weapon.

He described Livermore's cannabis habit as “entrenched” but said he smoked the drug privately and did not affect other people.

He said despite being currently unemployed, Livermore is involved with a youth club in Ipswich and is a co-ordinator for the Suffolk Kite Festival.

Magistrates put off sentencing so reports can be compiled.

Livermore will be sentenced on April 24.