Man caught growing cannabis at Leigh Park home claims he used it to '˜keep calm'

A MAN caught growing 17 cannabis plants at his council house has been ordered to pay £1,735 in fines and court costs.
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Benjamin Hoar, 40, of Ashlett Lawn, Leigh Park, was caught out when police went to his address.

Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court heard how officers arrived on March 4 this year, only to find the plants.

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The court was told how there was no evidence Hoar, who works for a cabling firm, was supplying cannabis, a class B drug.

Benjamin HoarBenjamin Hoar
Benjamin Hoar

But the amount involved was ‘beyond what he would be able to consume,’ the court was told.

Prosecutor Giles Fletcher said: ‘Officers have cause to go to the address.

‘He is the tenant of a council property.

‘When officers go there they see a number of cannabis plants.’

Cannabis found at Benjamin Hoar's house Picture: CPS WessexCannabis found at Benjamin Hoar's house Picture: CPS Wessex
Cannabis found at Benjamin Hoar's house Picture: CPS Wessex
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Mr Fletcher added: ‘It’s a fair set-up, there’s some sophistication because of the ventilation system and such like.

‘He admits growing them.

‘He says it’s 17 plants, unfortunately no-one actually counted how many it was.

‘I can’t go behind the fact that he says it’s 17.

Cannabis found at Benjamin Hoar's house
Picture: CPS WessexCannabis found at Benjamin Hoar's house
Picture: CPS Wessex
Cannabis found at Benjamin Hoar's house Picture: CPS Wessex

‘It’s a fair number of cannabis plants.’

Mr Fletcher said Hoar had no convictions since 2012.

Mr Fletcher added: ‘There was no evidence that he’s supplying but it’s beyond what he would be able to consume.’

Hoar pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis at his first appearance at magistrates’ court.

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Photos shown in court by the prosecutor reveal a ventilation system set up in a room at Hoar’s home.

Lights hang from the ceiling and pipes are installed along the wall.

District judge Anthony Callaway fined him £1,500 with £85 costs and a £150 victim surcharge to pay.

The judge ordered the drugs must be forfeited and destroyed.

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Howard Barrington-Clark, mitigating, said Hoar has a psychiatric prescription for a medical condition.

He said: ‘He was growing cannabis for the first time (to help) keep him on the level.

‘There’s no suggestion of supply.’

He said Hoar has a good record and no convictions for drug supply, and that he makes £400 a week.

The maximum sentence for cultivating cannabis plants is 14 years in jail and is reserved for more serious cases.